Sarina Wiegman wins FIFA award for the fourth time: ‘There she is again, sorry about that’ | Dutch football

Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to the world title and then left after enormous unrest at the Spanish association by chairman Luis Rubiales, was not nominated. “You may think, there she is again. Sorry about that,” Wiegman addressed the audience in London. “I would like to emphasize that I am very honored. I would like to thank everyone: the English association, the technical staff and of course the players.”

Wiegman reached the final of the World Cup with England in the summer. Spain was too strong with 1-0. England had to do without important players such as Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby last year due to serious injuries, but Wiegman still found a formula for success without those important players.

In the summer of 2022, Wiegman won the European Championship with England, by beating Germany in the final at a sold-out Wembley. Qualification for the Olympic Games in France next summer is no longer possible for ‘Team GB’, which would be coached by Wiegman. In the Nations League, England finished below the Netherlands after a sensational denouement, who will meet world champion Spain in the semi-finals for an Olympic ticket next month (Friday, February 23 in Cádiz).

Wiegman previously won the award in 2017, 2020 and 2022. As national coach of the Orange Lionesses, Wiegman already became European champion in his own country in 2017. In the summer of 2019, she reached the World Cup final in Lyon with the Dutch team, but the United States women were too strong 2-0.

Pep Guardiola was voted the best manager of the past year at the FIFA The Best gala in London. The 52-year-old Catalan won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and the World Cup for Club Teams with Manchester City.

Guardiola also won the prestigious award in 2011, when he was coach of FC Barcelona. Simone Inzaghi (Champions League finalist with Internazionale) and Luciano Spalletti (champion with Napoli, then national coach of Italy) were the other two nominated coaches for the men’s teams.