Ballon d'Or 2026 - The nominations for Coach of the Year

Men's Coach of the Year 2026 nominees 

Mikel Arteta (Spain, Arsenal)

The Arsenal fans trusted the process and were rewarded as Mikel Arteta led the Gunners to the Premier League title. 

It was Arteta's first trophy as a manager since 2020 and the North London side's first title since 2004. 

Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain national team)

Spain doubled down on their international success by adding the 2026 World Cup to their Euros win of two years ago. 

Both came under the charge of Luis de la Fuente, who has overseen a new era of dominance for Spain after being promoted from the national youth teams.

Unai Emery (Spain, Aston Villa)

The Spanish boss has etched his name into Aston Villa history as he continues to show why he's regarded as one of the best coaches in the Premier League. 

2026 saw him lead Villa back into the Champions League and mastermind their Europa League triumph - their first major trophy since 1996. 

Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Bayern Munich)Aston Villa

The former Manchester City skipper continues to enhance his managerial reputation with the work his doing as Bayern Munich boss. 

He made it back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2026 and also added the German Cup, too, as Bayern only suffered one defeat in the league campaign.

Luis Enrique (Spain, Paris-SG) 

Both domestically and in Europe, PSG conquered again by winning Ligue 1 and the Champions League. 

Enrique became only the second manager in Champions League history to lead a side to back-to-back wins in the competition. 

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Women's Coach of the Year 2026 nominees 

Jonatan Giráldez (Spain, OL Lyonnes)

Giráldez saw his Lyon side complete a league season without losing a single game to win the championship in France.

He also oversaw a cup win and a place in the Champions League final.

Andree Jeglertz (Sweden, Manchester City)

Finally, a coach managed to end Chelsea's dominance of the WSL, as Manchester City celebrated a WSL title win under Jeglertz. 

It was City's first championship since 2016, and they also added the FA Cup to complete the double thanks to the Swede. 

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Nils Nielsen (Denmark, Japan national team)

The big international win of 2026 came from Japan as they triumphed in the AFC Women's Asian Cup. 

Nielsen saw his troops beat Austrilia in the final to rack up their third victory in the competition, and first since 2018.

Pere Romeu (Spain, FC Barcelona)

Barcelona are back at the top of women's European football, led by Pere Romeu.

A Spanish title was their sixth in a row, but they also bagged the Champions League, too, with a thumping final victory over Lyon. 

Elena Sadiku (Sweden, BK Häcken)

The first-ever UEFA Women's Europa Cup took place in 2026, and it was BK Häcken that won the inaugural competition. 

Sadiku led her side to victory over Hammarby in the final. 

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