Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has been named the Men’s Coach of the Year at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. The annual ceremony, which honors the best in the sport by votes from journalists, has been in existence since the 1950s — although this is the first year that they are also including the Coach of the Year award. The Italian manager, who signed for Real Madrid in 2021 and previously managed them from 2013-2015, led Real Madrid to a remarkable campaign last season which saw them lift the UEFA Champions League for the 15th time, and his fifth total time as a manager.
However, the ceremony didn’t come without drama. Notably, Real Madrid did not send a single delegate to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. This was done in protest over the fact that they felt ‘disrespected’ that their player, Vinicius Jr., was not named the winner. Instead, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri claimed the prize after leading both club and country to title success last season. Therefore, Ancelotti was not present to claim his prize. The prize is voted on by a collection of international football journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings.
Ancelotti won the prize over some big competition, notably from a player he used to manage — Xabi Alonso. Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side took Europe by storm last season, winning the German Bundesliga and reaching the final of the Europa League, losing out to an excellent Atalanta side. He also beat out Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Spain’s National Team manager Luis de la Fuente, and Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
United States Women’s National Team and former Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes also won the Women’s Coach of the Year award. She guided the Blues to a league title, before managing the USWNT and leading them to a gold medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
