Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Thomas Tuchel leads Chelsea honours at FIFA Best Football Awards

Thomas Tuchel on the Chelsea touchline

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been named the men’s coach of the year at the FIFA Best Football Awards, among several honours for the club.

The 48-year-old German replaced Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge in January 2021 and had an immediate impact, starting his spell with a 14-game unbeaten run.

Former Borussia Dortmund and Paris St Germain head coach Tuchel also led Chelsea to the FA Cup final and a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League.

He was named on a seven-man shortlist alongside Antonio Conte, Hansi Flick, Pep Guardiola, Roberto Mancini, Lionel Scaloni and Diego Simeone.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tuchel said: “It was a pretty normal day so far at training. I have just come here. But now you have said my name and it is pretty surreal. I am overwhelmed and a bit uncomfortable.

“I enjoy the journey and the club. It is a good fit. The company on the journey is so good. We lost a bit of track to Manchester City in the league but we follow our goals still and be the best version of ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Blues stopper Edouard Mendy has been named men’s goalkeeper of the year.

Mendy, 29, is in his second season at the Premier League club after joining from Rennes in September 2020.

The Senegal international had been nominated alongside Italy and AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Germany and Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer.

Chile’s Christiane Endler, who joined Lyon from Paris St Germain in June 2021, was named women’s goalkeeper of the year.

And finally Chelsea’s Emma Hayes has won the FIFA Best women’s coach of the year award.

Hayes, 45, guided the Blues to Women’s Super League and League Cup glory last season and steered the London side to the Champions League final.

She was named WSL manager of the season for her feats and was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours for services to football.

READ MORE: Barcelona aware of Man Utd, Liverpool attempts to snatch ideal Chelsea target