{"id":24826,"date":"2022-01-17T16:33:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T21:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24826"},"modified":"2022-01-18T08:36:23","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T13:36:23","slug":"chelsea-trio-win-big-at-the-fifa-best-football-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24826","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea Trio Win Big At The ‘FIFA Best Football Awards’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tuchel was named men\u2019s manager of the year after steering his club to Champions League glory last season (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea claimed both coaching prizes at the FIFA Best Football Awards, as Thomas Tuchel and Emma Hayes won the men\u2019s and women\u2019s awards respectively, while Edouard Mendy was named men\u2019s goalkeeper of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuchel was named men\u2019s coach of the year after steering his club to Champions League glory last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 48-year-old German replaced Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge in January 2021 and had an immediate impact, starting his spell with a 14-game unbeaten run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Borussia Dortmund and Paris St Germain head coach Tuchel also led Chelsea to the FA Cup final and a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was named on a seven-man shortlist alongside Antonio Conte, Hansi Flick, Pep Guardiola, Roberto Mancini, Lionel Scaloni and Diego Simeone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hayes, 45, guided the Blues to Women\u2019s Super League and League Cup glory last season and steered the London side to the Champions League final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was named WSL manager of the season for her feats and was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honors for services to football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mendy, 29, is in his second season at the Premier League club after joining from Rennes in September 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Senegal international had been nominated for the award alongside Italy\u2019s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Germany\u2019s Manuel Neuer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chile\u2019s Christiane Endler, who joined Lyon from Paris St Germain in June 2021, was named women\u2019s goalkeeper of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuchel was shocked to receive the award from world football\u2019s governing body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said: \u201cIt was a pretty normal day so far at the training center, I\u2019ve just come from training because we have a game (on Tuesday), but now you opened the envelope and said my name, it\u2019s pretty surreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m overwhelmed, I feel a bit uncomfortable actually. I enjoy the journey and I enjoy the club, it\u2019s a good fit. The company on the journey is so good, so I\u2019m grateful to have such supportive people around me, to feel so good in such a competitive club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve lost a bit of track to Manchester City in the (Premier) League, but in other competitions we follow our goals still. We try to be the best versions of ourselves and try to compete at the highest level. We\u2019ll try our best to fulfil our dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hayes said she was taken aback at winning the accolade and paid tribute to her players and staff at Chelsea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking via video link at the ceremony, she said: \u201cI\u2019m completely shocked. It\u2019s down to the players and the fantastic people who represent my work. Ultimately, the coach is only as good as the people they have around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got brilliant people at Chelsea that have helped to support the team to the place we\u2019re at. Honestly, I\u2019m absolutely shocked right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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