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#3 Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
The Best FIFA men's coach award is conspicuous by its absence in Pep Guardiola's glittering trophy cabinet.
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Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the finest managers in the game's history. He has won at least three league titles in three different top-five leagues in Europe. These include La Liga with Barcelona, Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and Premier League with Manchester City.
He has done a fabulous job at Manchester City since his arrival at the club five years ago.
After Liverpool denied them a Premier League three-peat in 2019-20, Guardiola's men, last season, promptly won the competition for the third time in four years. He took City to their first Champions League final last season, but they fell in the title match against Chelsea.
After 12 games into the league season, Guardiola's men are firmly in the title race, trailing league leaders Chelsea by three points. The Best FIFA men's coach 2021 nominee's team is on the cusp of qualifying for Round of 16 in the Champions League.
However, Guardiola's failure to conquer Europe could jeopardize his chances of ending his Best FIFA men's coach award duck this year.
#2 Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea)
Thomas Tuchel has been like a breath of fresh air since his arrival at Chelsea earlier this year.
The former Borussia Dortmund and PSG manager has completely transformed The Blues' fortunes across competitions. Despite assuming the team's reins midseason, the 48-year-old took Chelsea all the way in the Champions League. The Blues slightly underwhelmed in the Premier League, only finishing fourth.
However, Tuchel's men are atop the Premier League pile this season, three points ahead of holders Manchester City. Like few else, he has epitomized the adage that 'attack is the best defense'. Tuchel has transformed the Blues into a refreshingly attacking team, while keeping things tight at the back.
Considering his impressive exploits, it's difficult to believe Tuchel has not yet completed a year at the Stamford Bridge helm. It remains to be seen if the German can beat out two continental international competition winners to land this year's Best FIFA men's coach award.
#1 Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Roberto Mancini is arguably one of the finest tacticians in the game at the moment. The former Serie A and Premier League winner can now call himself a European Championship winner too.
Mancini's Italy had a perfect Euro 2020 qualifying campaign to announce their title credentials. The tournament's dark horses then proceeded to go all the way. They beat Spain and England in penalty shootouts in the semi-finals and final, respectively. In the process, the Azzurri ended their over-five-decade-long wait for a European Championship title.
Italy then created a new record for the longest unbeaten streak in international football of 37 matches. Despite producing an unbeaten qualifying campaign, the Azzurri failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022 as group winners.
Nevertheless, Italy are widely tipped to reach the quadrennial competition through the playoffs. Despite a less-than-perfect qualifying campaign, Mancini might have done enough to win this year's Best FIFA men's coach award.
