Despite Morocco's heroics, Regragui missed out on the final three
Football’s governing body, FIFA have whittled down the nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year, and it conspicuously left out Morocco’s record-breaking coach Walid Regragui from the final three.
Regragui snubbed despite Morocco’s incredible World Cup run
Regraui led Morocco’s unprecedented run to the World Cup semifinals, becoming the African manager to coach and also win in a World Cup quarterfinal, as the first manager ever to lead an African side to the World Cup semifinals.
However, this was not enough for FIFA’s international jury who selected three other coaches ahead of him to compete in the final stage for the prestigious award.
Regragui’s feat with the national team earned him plaudits and recognition within and outside Africa, and he was on the initial five-man shortlist for the award but failed to make it to the final stage of consideration.
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year final three nominees
Instead of Regragui, who earned the nickname “the Moroccan Guardiola” for his likeness to the Spaniard gaffer, FIFA’s jurors have decided to go for the ‘real’ Pep Guardiola, in their final selection, alongside World Cup winner Lionel Scaloni, and UEFA Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid.
Guardiola’s exploits in reaching the semifinals of the UCL, as well as winning his fourth Premier League title in five years earned him a spot in the final three while Ancelotti’s UCL and LaLiga double were enough to earn him a spot as well.
Scaloni makes the list on the back of a superb year in consideration that saw him win both the Finalissima and the FIFA World Cup with Argentina, bringing to an end the country’s decades of hunger for a world title.
Related content
00:40 - 12.12.2022
Walid Regragui: The Dreamer who wants to inspire an African World Cup win
Where do history makers come from? Walid Regragui's exploits are not a flash in the pan, the man understands excellence
17:47 - 12.01.2023
Morocco's Walid Regragui nominated for FIFA The Best award
After just four months on the job, Regragui could be headed for one of the biggest awards in world football
23:49 - 25.12.2022
'I cannot forgive them' - ex Morocco coach bemoans decision to sack him
Wallid Regragui may have taken all the plaudits for leading Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, but Vahid Halilhodzic was the one who qualified them for the mundial
18:23 - 17.12.2022
QATAR 2022 Reactions as fans heap praise on Morocco despite losing World Cup bronze medal to Croatia
Morocco fell to a defeat in their final match at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar having impressed millions of fans across the world.