Carlo Ancelotti could be named Coach of the Year, as FIFA announces the final contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or.
Carlo Ancelotti could be named Coach of the Year, as FIFA announces the final contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or.
The Italian steered Real Madrid to their 10th Champions League crown this year, and is nominated alongside Germany’s World Cup winning tactician Joachim Low and Diego Simeone of Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
There were few surprises on the playing side, with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manuel Neuer in contention to be crowned the world’s best footballer. Paul Pogba of Juventus was named on the original shortlist but has not made the final cut.
Since France Football’s Ballon d’Or merged with FIFA’s World Player of the Year award to create the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2010, the award has never gone to someone other than Messi or Ronaldo, with the Barcelona man winning three times, and Real Madrid’s talisman taking home the prize for the first time last year.
The winners of the awards will be announced at a special ceremony on January 15, with Cristiano Ronaldo favourite to win the players' award after 51 goals in 47 games for Real Madrid last term.
As for the Coach of the Year award, Ancelotti is expected be be nudged out by Joachim Low, after the latter lifted the World Cup in Brazil this summer.