The shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Coach of the Year award has been released, recognising the leading male managers for their work during the 2025/26 season.
France Football announced the nominees on its X account on Tuesday.
The five coaches named are Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Unai Emery (Aston Villa) and Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich).
Four of the five nominees are Spanish, with Kompany the only Belgian on the list.
In this piece, PUNCH Online looks briefly into the achievements of these men’s coaches:
Mikel Arteta — Arsenal
Arteta had an impressive outing at North London side Arsenal last season.
The Gunners lifted the English Premier League, ending a 22-year wait for the coveted trophy.
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.
Recently, Arteta celebrated a significant career milestone — marking his 250th EPL game as a coach.
Luis Enrique — PSG
For Enrique, this nomination presents another chance to win the award, having claimed it in the 2024/25 season.
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.
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.
Luis de la Fuente — Spain
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.
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).
Unai Emery — Aston Villa
Emery, 54, guided Aston Villa to the Europa League last season.
The fourth Spaniard coach on the nominee list has also managed 200 matches at the club, with a 55% win rate.
Emery is notable for winning three consecutive Europa League titles at Sevilla, before capping it with his fourth at Villa Park.
Vincent Kompany — Bayern Munich
Kompany, a former EPL champion and ex-captain of the Belgium National Team, emerged as the Bayern Munich coach in 2024.
The Belgian has won five trophies for the Bavarians, including two Bundesliga titles, two German Super Cups and one DFB Pokal.
