Sarina Wiegman, Manager of England’s Women’s National Team, Graces the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year Award Shortlist.
The announcement of the winner, alongside the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, and UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year, is set to take place during the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Monaco on Thursday, August 31.
Last year’s winner successfully guided the Lionesses of England to victory in the Finalissima held in April and impressively steered them to their inaugural Women’s World Cup final. Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to a triumphant 1-0 finish in the final, and Jonatan Giraldez from Barcelona constitute the remaining nominees.
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The shortlist for the players’ accolade features Australia’s Chelsea striker, Sam Kerr, along with the Spain duo Aitana Bonmati and Olga Carmona. The nominees were meticulously chosen by a panel of coaches and journalists, taking into account remarkable performances across club and country during the 2022-23 season. Notably, England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps came very close to securing a spot in the final three.
The Lionesses of England secured the Euro 2022 title on home soil, thus earning the privilege to represent Europe in the inaugural women’s Finalissima. They exhibited remarkable prowess by overcoming South American champions Brazil through a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at Wembley.
Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, aged 53, then masterfully guided the England team to their first World Cup final since their male counterparts’ historic win in 1966.
Jorge Vilda, despite facing a player revolt last September, remarkably led Spain Women’s National Team to their maiden Women’s World Cup victory. In the player’s category, Aitana Bonmati’s compatriot and Barcelona teammate, Alexia Putellas, clinched the award for the past two years. Bonmati, a 25-year-old midfielder, significantly contributed to Barcelona’s conquest of the Spanish league and Champions League titles before securing the World Cup with Spain. Real Madrid wing-back and captain Olga Carmona etched her name into history by netting the decisive goal in the final.
Meanwhile, the prolific 29-year-old striker Sam Kerr netted an impressive 29 goals across various competitions, propelling Chelsea to a double triumph in the previous season. Her leadership also inspired joint hosts Australia to the World Cup semi-finals.
