Sarina Wiegman has been named UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year for 2022/23.

Wiegman, who led England to victory in the Women’s Finalissima and then took them to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup final, finished ahead of Jorge Vilda and Jonatan Giráldez in the voting. She becomes the first person to win the award more than once after topping the poll last year following England’s victory at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.

She received her prize during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Monaco.

Why did Wiegman win this award?

Before accepting the England job in 2021, Wiegman led the Netherlands to a home victory at UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 and to the World Cup final two years later. Having also overseen England’s success at EURO 2022 as hosts, she repeated the feat in Australia and New Zealand this summer, only to be edged out in the final by Spain. She guided the Lionesses to silverware in April, when they beat Brazil on penalties in the Women’s Finalissima, also winning a four-team friendly tournament at home in February.

At the World Cup, Wiegman was without four of the eleven who started each EURO match due to injury or retirement, while also having to deal with Keira Walsh’s knee problem and the suspension of Lauren James. However, his tactical acumen and motivational skills allowed him to become the first coach to lead two different nations to a World Cup final.

What is the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award?

For this award, European coaches, regardless of their nationality, are judged on their performances throughout the season in all competitions – national and international – at club or national team level. Lyonnais Jean-Luc Vasseur was the first winner in 2019/20followed by Barcelona’s Lluís Cortés in 2020/21 And England’s Sarina Wiegman in 2021/22.

How were the coaches selected?

An initial shortlist of coaches has been provided by UEFA technical observers based on their performances during the 2022/23 season at club and/or national team level. The three finalists were elected by a jury made up of the coaches of the clubs participating in the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, as well as the coaches of the women’s national teams of the UEFA member associations. A group of journalists selected by European Sports Media (ESM) was also part of the jury.

Coaches and journalists were asked to select their top three coaches from the shortlist by awarding them five points, three points and one point respectively. The final result was based on the total number of votes cast by coaches and journalists. Coaches were not allowed to vote for themselves.