Pep Guardiola collected the FIFA Best Men’s Coach award on Monday evening after Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign in 2023, but the former Barcelona coach made sure to praise Italian duo Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti, who were also nominated for the award.
Guardiola, Inzaghi and Spalletti were the three coaches named as finalists for the Best Men’s Coach award. Xavi and Ange Postecoglou were also included on the original shortlist.
On his way up to the stage to collect the award, Guardiola made sure to stop and shake hands with both Inzaghi and Spalletti before praising them both in front of a star-studded crowd.
“Thank you so much, I want to share this award first of all with Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti,” Guardiola began.
He then began speaking in Italian and said: “Luciano, for the season you had with your Napoli, having won the league, the Scudetto after many, many years.
“Simone, only I know from the final how difficult it is to play against your Inter, a marvellous squad.”