France Football has unveiled the nominees for the 2026 Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year awards, with Spanish managers dominating the shortlist for the prestigious Johan Cruyff Trophy.
The nominations recognise the coaches whose tactical decisions, leadership and achievements played a major role in shaping the 2025/26 football season.
Four of the five men’s nominees are Spanish, underlining the growing influence of Spanish coaching across Europe’s leading leagues and international football.
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has been nominated for the award after another successful campaign with the French champions.
Enrique, who won the Johan Cruyff Trophy in 2025, is now seeking to retain the individual award after guiding PSG to a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title.
The Spaniard has earned praise for his tactical flexibility and ability to manage a squad packed with high-profile players during a demanding European campaign.
His success has once again placed him among the leading contenders for the award.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also on the shortlist after guiding the Gunners to Premier League glory.
Arteta ended Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the English top-flight title, restoring domestic success to north London.
The Spanish coach came close to securing a double but Arsenal’s European campaign ended in defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
His domestic success, however, was enough to earn him a place among the five nominees.
Another Spaniard on the shortlist is Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
Emery enjoyed another impressive season with the Birmingham club, guiding Villa to Europa League success.
He also secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, earning Aston Villa qualification for the Champions League.
His ability to deliver success in both domestic and European competitions has strengthened his case for the Johan Cruyff Trophy.
Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente completes the Spanish dominance of the shortlist.
De la Fuente has continued to build on his success with La Roja after leading Spain to the European Championship title in 2024.
He finished third in the 2024 Coach of the Year rankings following that triumph.
His reputation grew further after overseeing Spain’s successful 2026 World Cup campaign.
The achievement has reinforced his standing as one of the leading international coaches and highlighted the effectiveness of Spain’s possession-based football philosophy.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is the only non-Spaniard on the men’s shortlist.
The Belgian coach has been nominated after guiding Bayern to a dominant Bundesliga campaign.
Kompany helped the Bavarian giants secure the league title while overseeing an extraordinary attacking campaign.
Bayern scored 122 goals during the season, setting a new Bundesliga record for goals scored in a single campaign.
The achievement has earned Kompany his first nomination for the Coach of the Year award.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
