FIFA announce finalists for Women's Best coach awards: Giraldez, Hayes & Wiegman

Jonatan Giraldez, Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman are in the frame for illustrious honour. Read more about their achievements here.

Jonatan Giraldez, Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman have been announced as the three finalists for The Best FIFA Women's Coach Award 2023.

The accolade recognises the most outstanding performers from the dugout in the women's game from the period between 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023. The winner of the illustrious prize will be revealed at a London ceremony on 15 January 2024.

A total of five coaches were initially nominated for The Best FIFA Women's Coach award, having been chosen by a panel of experts. From this shortlist, the three finalists have been selected by an international jury comprising: women's national team coaches, women's national team captains, football journalists, and fans who voted on FIFA’s official website.

Jonatan Giraldez

Barcelona Femini recorded another stellar season under the tutelage of Giraldez, as he led the Blaugrana to a fourth consecutive title - a second of his reign - as well as the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Giraldez didn't just lead Barça to any ordinary title win, though. He presided over a 27-game winning streak in the league - taking his total to a scarcely-believable 57 consecutive Liga F wins when including the 2021/22 campaign - prior to a 1-1 draw with Sevilla in May, by which time the title had already been secured.

His side were crowned champions of Europe, too. They lost just once en route to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over VfL Wolfsburg in the Eindhoven final which capped the most extraordinary of seasons.

Did you know?

In Giraldez's opening two seasons as Barcelona coach, he watched his side score seven or more goals on no less than 15 occasions in competitive action, while only conceding more than once just twice in his first 60 league games.

Emma Hayes

The Best FIFA Women's Coach winner of 2021 has been shortlisted for the award once again in 2023, as Chelsea icon Hayes enjoyed another year to remember.

Hayes, who will take over as the new USA women's national team coach following the current WSL campaign, won a record-extending sixth league title during the 22/23 season as her side won 19 of their 22 domestic matches.

She would also lead Chelsea to a fourth league and FA Cup double of her reign in May. A sole Sam Kerr strike was enough to defeat Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley in front of a bumper 77,000-strong crowd - a world-record attendance for a women's domestic match.

Did you know?

While at the helm of Chicago Red Stars, Hayes’ first choice for the club in the Women’s Professional Soccer 2009 draft was a University of Portland forward named Megan Rapinoe.

Sarina Wiegman

Only Lionel Messi can match England coach Wiegman's total of six The Best podium finishes across all categories, while no coach - regardless of gender - can touch her three The Best wins of 2017, 2020 and 2022.

Indeed, the current holder of the award has enjoyed another fruitful year, taking the Lionesses to a first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup™ final in August, in which her side conceded just three times prior to the showpiece match against Spain.

Prior to that, she led England to an Arnold Clark Cup win in February before lifting the inaugural Women's Finalissima following a shootout victory over Brazil at Wembley.

Did you know?

After taking charge of England in September 2021, Wiegman remained unbeaten for her opening 30 matches in charge. Her first defeat came to Australia at Brentford's Community Stadium in April 2023.

How The Best FIFA Women's Coach Award finalists were determined

From the five-coach shortlist, each voter made their first, second and third choices for the prize.

Points were given to nominees depending on where they were placed (five points for first, three for second and one for third).

Nominated national team coaches could not vote for themselves.

Selections from the four voting groups – coaches, captains, journalists, and fans – each counted for 25 per cent of the total vote, irrespective of the number of voters from each group.

The Best FIFA Women's Coach Award will be presented to the individual with the most points.

If finalists are tied on points, the award will be bestowed on the individual who has received the most first-choice selections.

The voting procedure for The Best FIFA Women's Coach Award is supervised by independent observers. Results will be published in full on FIFA.com following the awards ceremony on 15 January 2024.