Spanish coaches dominate world soccer's top management roles

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 11:34 · Archive

Spanish coaches are now in high demand at top clubs and national teams after years of success, with four of five nominees for the Johan Cruyff Trophy for men's coach of the year being Spanish.

Spanish coaches have become the world's most in-demand soccer managers, reflecting Spain's dominance in the sport. Four of five nominees for the Johan Cruyff Trophy for men's coach of the year are Spanish, as are two of the women's candidates, a prominence to be displayed at next week's Ballon d'Or gala.

Spain has transformed from decades in the shadow of Italian, English and German coaching traditions into a major exporter of coaching expertise. Clubs and national teams now seek to tap into the philosophy credited for Spain's success on the world stage, with celebrated coaches including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique bringing Spain's possession-based style of play to Europe's top clubs.

Iván Cancela, who heads the Spanish soccer federation's coaching academy, attributed the trend to rigorous training and adaptability. "The cornerstone to the high esteem that Spanish coaches are enjoying now is their training and, above all, their ability to adapt to different contexts in European and global soccer," he told the Associated Press. Both Guardiola and Luis Enrique are academy graduates.

Luis Enrique won last year's Cruyff award and is a top candidate again after winning a second consecutive Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain. Luis de la Fuente is another top contender after winning the World Cup with Spain this summer, having led the country's Under-19 and Under-21 teams before taking over the senior side.

How it is being reported

• How Spanish coaches became soccer's hottest commoditySpanish coaches are all the rage.Clickorlando · 23 Oct, 10:42
• How Spanish coaches became soccer's hottest commoditySpanish coaches are all the rage.News4Jax · 23 Oct, 10:42

In this story: Spain · Pep Guardiola · Luis Enrique · Luis de la Fuente · Paris Saint-Germain · Spanish soccer federation

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