Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Jorginho and Alexia Putellas have been voted men’s and women’s UEFA Players of the Year, while Thomas Tuchel and Lluís Cortés win men’s and women’s Coach of the Year award.
UEFA Men’s Player of the Year
Chelsea FC midfielder Jorginho has been crowned UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2020/21. The announcement was made at today’s 2021/22 UEFA Champions League group stage draw, held at the Haliç Congress Center in Istanbul, Turkey. The Italian was a pillar in his club’s victorious UEFA Champions League campaign last season, and arguably one of the most important players in Italy’s UEFA EURO 2020 winning team.
The jury was composed of the 24 coaches of the national teams that participated in UEFA EURO 2020 this summer, together with the 80 coaches of the clubs that played the group stages of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Fifty-five journalists, one from each of UEFA’s 55 member associations, selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group, were also part of the jury.
Jorginho collected a total of 175 points, with Manchester City FC and Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (167 points) and Chelsea FC and French international N’Golo Kanté (160 points) taking second and third places respectively.
In a video-recorded message, 29-year-old Jorginho said, “Hi everybody, I’m very sorry I can’t be there at this important moment, due to the restrictions that we all know about. I can’t be there, but I wanted to say that I’m very happy with this award.”
“I would like to say thank you to all the people who made their contribution to making this happen.”
“A big thanks from the heart to all the people who helped me on this route, to my family, to my friends, to the supporters, to my team-mates, to the coaches. I’m very happy. A hug to everybody.”
UEFA Women’s Player of the Year
Alexia Putellas was named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year 2020/21 at the same ceremony in Istanbul. The Spanish midfielder wins this award for the first time.
The FC Barcelona captain, who lifted last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy, obtained a total of 50 points in a special poll featuring coaches and journalists. Club-mate and Spain striker Jennifer Hermoso came second with 42 points, while another FC Barcelona and Netherlands international, Lieke Martens, finished third with 40 points.
The jury was composed of the coaches of the clubs that participated in the round of 16 of the 2020/21 UEFA Women’s Champions League, together with the coaches of the 12 highest-ranked teams in the latest UEFA women’s national team rankings. Twenty journalists specialising in women’s football and selected by the ESM group were also part of the jury.
In a video-recorded message, 27-year-old Putellas said, “Good evening. I am very happy to receive the UEFA Player of the Year Award. Firstly, I would like to thank my team-mates and the whole team who made it possible for us to have such a successful season.”
“I would also like to mention the rest of the nominees, particularly Lieke [Martens] and Jenni [Hermoso], with whom I am sharing this podium. At the end of the day, it is the entire team, the entire club which has won this [award]. It is such an achievement that so many Barça players are nominated for these awards.”
“I’d also like to thank the fans for all of the love they’ve shown me. Let’s go for more! Thank you very much.”
UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year
Chelsea FC’s Thomas Tuchel received the UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year 2020/21 award. The German coach, who joined the English club in the middle of the season and led his team to their second UEFA Champions League title, received a total of 378 points in a special poll featuring coaches and journalists. Italy’s national team coach, Roberto Mancini, came second with 292 points, while Manchester City FC coach Josep Guardiola was third with 198 points.
The jury was composed of the 24 coaches of the national teams that participated in UEFA EURO 2020, together with the 80 coaches of the clubs that played the group stages of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Fifty-five journalists, one from each of UEFA’s 55 member associations, selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group, were also part of the jury.
In a video-recorded message, 47-year-old Tuchel said, “Sorry I can’t be there in person due to travel restrictions, but we are very pleased to receive the award. I [am accepting] it on behalf of all my staff.”
“I am absolutely delighted and very grateful for everybody who’s supported [us]. Hope to see you soon, stay safe and all the best.”
UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year
On the same occasion, Lluís Cortés was voted UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year 2020/21. The Spanish coach, who led FC Barcelona to an impressive UEFA Women’s Champions League title last season, collected a total of 151 points in a special poll featuring coaches and journalists. Chelsea FC Women coach Emma Hayes from England came second with 78 points, while Sweden’s women’s national team coach Peter Gerhardsson was third with 37 points.
The jury was composed of the coaches of the clubs that participated in the round of 16 of the 2020/21 UEFA Women’s Champions League, together with the coaches of the 12 highest-ranked teams in the latest UEFA women’s national team rankings. Twenty journalists specialising in women’s football and selected by the ESM group were also part of the jury.
In a video-recorded message, 35-year-old Cortés said, “Hello, everyone. It’s a shame that I can’t be with you in Istanbul on this special day, but I’d like to thank UEFA and all the members of the jury who thought that I deserved this award. It is an honour and a pleasure. I’ve been working in women’s football for many years, and I am very happy to receive this recognition.”
“Of course, my thanks also go to FC Barcelona, from the board to the club’s staff, players, and personnel, because none of this would’ve been possible without them. Finally, I’d like to wish the rest of the teams all the best for next season, which I am sure will be a very, very good one.”
The UEFA Player and Coach of the Year awards recognise the best players and coaches, irrespective of their nationality, who have played for a football team or have coached a football team within the territory of a UEFA member national association. The awards are based on players’ and coaches’ performances during the 2020/21 season in all competitions, both domestic and international, and at club and national team levels.
