Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and United States Women’s National Team coach Emma Hayes were celebrated as the inaugural winners of the Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year awards at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
These new categories at Ballon d’Or award ceremony recognized their remarkable achievements during the 2023/24 season.
Ancelotti, 65, received the honor for his outstanding season with Real Madrid, where he led the team to victory in La Liga and secured a fifth career Champions League title.
Despite his triumph, Ancelotti was not present at the ceremony, as Real Madrid reportedly boycotted the event upon learning that Manchester City’s Rodri would be awarded the Ballon d’Or over their star, Vinicius Junior.
Kylian Mbappe was also absent, though he was recognized with the Gerd Muller Trophy for most goals scored, a prize he shared with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane.
In the men’s category, Ancelotti faced strong competition from other elite coaches, including Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Spain’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni, and Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini.
In the women’s category, Hayes, 48, delivered a video message to accept her award. The former Chelsea manager clinched the Women’s Super League title last season after a close contest with Manchester City.
Hayes has since moved on to coach the U.S. Women’s National Team, leading them to Olympic gold in Paris. Other nominees included Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor, Jonatan Giraldez of Barcelona, Filipa Patao of Benfica, England’s Sarina Wiegmann, and Brazil’s Arthur Elias.
