Guardiola set to battle ex-Napoli manager for UEFA Coach of the Year award

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been nominated for the 2023 UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year alongside Italian history maker Luciano Spalletti and Inter gaffer Simone Inzaghi, who reached the UEFA Champions League final with the Nerazzuri.

Guardiola led Manchester City to a famous treble, winning the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup titles in the 2022/23 season.

The Spanish gaffer has also claimed the 2023 UEFA Super Cup and could claim a fifth trophy for Manchester City before the year is out, with the FIFA Club World Cup set to take place later in the year.

Guardiola has never won the UEFA Coach of the Year award since its inception in 2020 but is the favourite to clinch the 2023 crown after an incredible season with the Cityzens.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager will be up against Luciano Spaletti, who guided Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years and their first-ever UEFA Champions League quarterfinal before sensationally quitting at the end of the campaign.

Also in contention for the award is Inter’s Inzaghi, who helped the Italians to the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in 13 years, and also helped them to a domestic cup double with the Copa Italia and Super Coppa Italiana trophies decorating the Nerazzurri’s cabinet for the 2022/23 season.

Previous award winners include Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, and Carlo Ancelotti, who all claimed the honour after leading their teams to UCL triumphs.