2026 Ballon d’Or: Arteta, Enrique, others nominated for Men’s Coach of the Year

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The shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Coach of the Year has been announced to celebrate male coaches for their great achievements in football across the 2025/26 season.

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The nominees were announced via the award body’s X handle on Tuesday.

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The top five nominees in this category include Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), Luis de la Fuente (Spain National Team), Unai Emery (Aston Villa) and Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich).

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According to the announcement, the shortlist comprises four Spaniards and one Belgian, Kompany.

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In this piece, PUNCH Online looks briefly into the achievements of these men’s coaches:

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Mikel Arteta — Arsenal

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Arteta had an impressive outing at North London side Arsenal last season.

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The Gunners lifted the English Premier League, ending a 22-year wait for the coveted trophy.

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The 44-year-old Spaniard, who took the reins of leadership at Arsenal in 2019, has guided the club to four Emirates Cups, one FA Cup and three Community Shields.

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Recently, Arteta celebrated a significant career milestone — marking his 250th EPL game as a coach.

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Luis Enrique — PSG

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For Enrique, this nomination presents another chance to win the award, having claimed it in the 2024/25 season.

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The former Barcelona coach, who lifted the La Liga and Champions League with the Catalans, has replicated the feat in France. The Spaniard tactician guided Ligue 1 champions PSG to two consecutive Champions League titles in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.

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With the Parisians, Enrique boasts of three domestic league titles, one FIFA Intercontinental Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, two Coupe de France titles and three Trophée des Champions.

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Luis de la Fuente — Spain

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De la Fuente, 65, recently became the oldest manager to win the FIFA World Cup after leading La Roja to tournament glory, according to FIFA.n

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He took over the Spain National Team in 2024 and has guided them to three major trophies — UEFA Euro (2024), UEFA Nations League title (2023) and the FIFA World Cup (2026).

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Unai Emery — Aston Villa

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Emery, 54, guided Aston Villa to the Europa League last season.

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The fourth Spaniard coach on the nominee list has also managed 200 matches at the club, with a 55% win rate.

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Emery is notable for winning three consecutive Europa League titles at Sevilla, before capping it with his fourth at Villa Park.

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Vincent Kompany — Bayern Munich

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Kompany, a former EPL champion and ex-captain of the Belgium National Team, emerged as the Bayern Munich coach in 2024.

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The Belgian has won five trophies for the Bavarians, including two Bundesliga titles, two German Super Cups and one DFB Pokal.

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