Two Italians with Guardiola on the FIFA Coach of the Year shortlist

 

Guardiola, Spalletti and Inzaghi nominated for Coach of the Year (from left): FIFA

Manchester City's treble-winning Pep Guardiola has made the shortlist for FIFA Coach of the Year. Two Italians Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti are fighting with him. World football's governing body FIFA published the list on its website today.

The name of the winner will be announced at the 'FIFA The Best Awards' ceremony in London on January 15. The best coach selection takes into consideration the performance of the period from December 19, 2022 to August 20 this year. FIFA's expert panel initially shortlisted five players. Xavi Hernandez and Ange Postecoglou were dropped from the list after a vote by national team coaches, captains, football journalists and supporters.

Manchester City won the treble last season under Guardiola's coaching: AFP

FIFA has been awarding the coach of the year since 2016. Guardiola made it to the shortlist for the fourth time. However, he could not win even once in the previous three times. And Inzaghi and Spalletti found their place for the first time.

Guardiola has been getting great success since the beginning of his coaching career. In that trend, he made a unique feat last season. He became the first coach in history to win the treble twice. He first tasted the treble in 2009 with Barcelona. And got the second time from Manchester City's dugout. Guardiola should be ahead in the race to be the coach of the year.

Inzaghi and Spalletti don't have a chance to hold back too much. Inzaghi's Inter Milan won the Italian Cup and Super Cup last season. After 13 years under his coaching, they reached the final of the Champions League. In the end, they lost the title against City, but the style of the team caught everyone's attention.

Inter Milan won two domestic titles under Inzaghi's coaching last season: AFP

And Spalletti has become a big part of Napoli history. He brought the legendary Diego Maradona's club to the Italian Serie A title after 33 years.

Napoli had to change 31 coaches after 33 years of regret. During this time, the club handed over responsibility to Claudio Ranieri, Marcelo Lippi, Gian Piero Ventura, Mauricio Sarri, Rafael Benitez, and even Carlo Ancelotti. But none could bring ultimate success. The team is finally crowned Italian football great courtesy of Spalletti. It does not end here. Napoli reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time under Spalletti.

Napoli to face 33 years of regret courtesy of Spalletti: Serie A website

Earlier yesterday, FIFA announced the names of three nominees for the best goalkeeper of the year. Manchester City's Ileson, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Al Hilal's Yassin Bunu have been shortlisted.