Who will succeed Luis Enrique on the Johan Cruyff Trophy list? It is a safe bet that the title of best coach will once again be awarded to a Spanish technician. Luis de la Fuente, who led Spain to the world title, is in fact the favorite and Luis Enrique, winner of a new Champions League with PSG, appears to be his main rival.
Above all, there are no less than four Spanish coaches among the five nominees since we also find in the list Mikel Arteta, crowned champion of England with Arsenal and unfortunate finalist of the Champions League, and Unai Emery, winner of the Europa League at the head of Aston Villa. Vincent Kompany, rewarded for his performances at the head of Bayern Munich, is therefore an intruder.
Eliminated with the Blues by Spain in the semi-final of the World Cup before losing the small final against England, Didier Deschamps had no say in the matter this time. The former midfielder was among the nominees for The Best Trophy in 2018 and 2022.
Only one trophy, in 2108
However, in fourteen years at the head of the France team, Didier Deschamps has only been in the spotlight once: in 2018, in the wake of the French team’s coronation at the World Cup in Russia. If the French players had been shunned, Kylian Mbappé having to settle for 4th place behind Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah, the native of Bayonne had won The Best Trophy ahead of Zinedine Zidane.
For the rest, the former midfielder had to make do with a few appointments. In 2016, after the Euro final lost with the Blues, if he was among the ten coaches nominated for the title of best coach during The Best Trophies, he finished in a modest eighth place. And the scenario was repeated in 2022, after the World Cup final lost to Argentina in Qatar. Selected among the five nominated technicians, Didier Deschamps was ranked in the very last place.
