The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony is just around the corner, and the hype is building up. The most prestigious award in women’s football is about to recognize the best coaches in the game, and this year’s nominees are more accomplished than ever. The introduction of the coaches’ awards has added a new layer of excitement to the ceremony, with the Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year awards being handed out for the first time.
Six coaches have made the cut for the prestigious award, and each of them has an impressive résumé. Sarina Wiegman, the head coach of the England national team, is up for the award despite not qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games. Emma Hayes, the former Chelsea manager, is also in the running after her stunning 2023/24 campaign with the Blues. Hayes led Chelsea to the semi-final stages of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and won a fifth consecutive WSL title.
Sonia Bompastor, the manager of Lyon, is another serious contender. She led her team to the Champions League final, where they were narrowly defeated by Barcelona in Bilbao. Her success in the 2023/24 D1F season and her new role as head coach of Chelsea also make her a strong candidate.
Jonatan Giraldez, the coach of Barcelona, is making his mark on the world of women’s football. He stole the show in Bilbao, guiding his side to victory in the Champions League and securing several domestic titles. His achievements in the 2023/24 season make him a strong contender for the award.
Arthur Elias, the head coach of the Brazilian national team, is also in the running. He led his team to victory at the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup and secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Filipa Patao, the manager of Benfica, rounds out the nominees with her impressive domestic treble in the 2023/24 season.
As we wait for the winner to be announced, it’s hard not to predict who will take the top prize. With each of the six nominees boasting an impressive record, it’s clear that this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony will be a closely contested affair. But, in my opinion, Jonatan Giraldez is the likely winner, given his remarkable success in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and his team’s impressive domestic performances.
Despite Emma Hayes’s impressive credentials, her Olympic triumph, which came too late to be considered for the award, will have to wait until next year. The rest of the world will have to settle for recognizing her achievements in the Women’s Coach of the Year category.
Ultimately, only one coach can win the top prize, but every single one of these nominees has earned their place on the shortlist. The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony promises to be an exciting event, and we can’t wait to see who will be crowned the ultimate winner.
