Chelsea trio Thomas Tuchel, Emma Hayes and Edouard Mendy win Fifa awards

Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel beat six contenders to win best men's coach award

Thomas Tuchel was named men’s coach of the year after steering Chelsea to Champions League glory last season. Getty Images

Chelsea claimed both coaching prizes at the Fifa Best Football Awards, as Thomas Tuchel and Emma Hayes won the men’s and women’s awards respectively, while Edouard Mendy was named men’s goalkeeper of the year.

Tuchel was named men’s coach of the year after steering his club to Champions League glory last season.

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.

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.

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

Hayes, 45, guided the Blues to Women’s Super League and League Cup glory last season and steered the London side to the Champions League final.

She was named WSL manager of the season for her feats and was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours for services to football.

Mendy, 29, is in his second season at the Premier League club after joining from Rennes in September 2020.

The Senegal international had been nominated for the award alongside Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Germany’s Manuel Neuer.

MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS: Ederson – 7. Rarely called into action but pulled off a strong save to deny Lukaku early in the second half. Getty Images

Kyle Walker – 7. A solid display from the England full-back who carried out his defensive duties and offered another outlet on the right flank. EPA

Joao Cancelo – 7. Played a lovely pass to De Bruyne to set up City’s opener and was solid in defence and helped keep Pulisic quiet. EPA

Aymeric Laporte – 7. Marshalled his defence well to help limit Chelsea to just one shot on target. Produced a point-blank block on Werner soon after De Bruyne’s goal. EPA

John Stones – 7. Slotted in seamlessly on just his seventh league start of the season, helping Laporte to nullify Lukaku’s threat. EPA

Rodri – 7. Spaniard had a comfortable outing in the anchor role as City dominated possession and seemed to outnumber the Chelsea midfield. EPA

Bernardo Silva – 7. A trademark all-action display from the Portugal international, and while he may not have dominated the game, there were a few flicks and touches that displayed his class. Reuters

Kevin De Bruyne – 8. Broke the deadlock with an absolute worldie, curling a shot from outside the area and leaving Kepa no chance. His fifth goal against Chelsea to deepen the regret his former club must be feeling for letting him leave. AFP

Phil Foden – 7. Lively all afternoon, drifting across the attacking line as City continue to operate with a fluid front three. Snatched at a chance to make it 2-0. Getty Images

Raheem Sterling – 8. Posed a constant threat and bullied Alonso all game. The England forward, recently named Premier League player of the month, continues his fine form. EPA

Jack Grealish – 6. The least dangerous of City’s front three, the £100m man had a couple of decent chances to score but was unable to convert. PA

SUBS: Ilkay Gundogan (On for De Bruyne 85’) – N/A. Brought on to provide fresh legs in the final few minutes. AP

Gabriel Jesus (On for Foden 88’) – N/A. Reuters

CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7. Produced a big save with his leg to deflect a Grealish effort wide in the first half but had no hope with De Bruyne’s goal. The Spaniard is looking more assured these days. PA

Malang Sarr – 7. Good performance from the Frenchman who had to deal with his share of attacks thanks to his flank being regularly targeted by City. Getty Images

Antonio Rudiger – 8. Read the game superbly – cutting off City attacks, sticking in challenges, and intercepting crosses. Chelsea really need him to sign a new deal. PA

Thiago Silva – 6. Usually the epitome of composure, the Brazilian never quite looked at his comfortable best at the Etihad. Probably could have closed De Bruyne down sooner for the Belgian's goal. EPA

Cesar Azipilicueta – 6. Had his hands full against City’s attack and had few chances to venture forward. On the rare occasion he did, his crossing only found City heads. Reuters

Marcos Alonso – 5. Run ragged by Sterling during the first half and never looked comfortable defensively. Had few chances to get forward, with City controlling so much of the ball. Subbed for last 10 minutes. AP

N’Golo Kante – 6. The Frenchman’s positioning, tackling, and energy were vital to Chelsea containing City for much of the match, but he was too easily shrugged off by De Bruyne for the goal. AP

Mateo Kovacic – 7. Once again the pick of the Chelsea midfielders, the Croatian was the most likely to make something happen – if only his team had more of the ball. Reuters

Hakim Ziyech – 5. Rarely got on the ball and provided little threat in attack. Replaced in a double substitution with Pulisic. Reuters

Christian Pulisic – 5. An anonymous display from the American forward as City dominated possession. Swapped with just over 20 minutes to play. Getty Images

Romelu Lukaku – 5. Starved of service in the first half but had a great chance early in the second, which Ederson palmed away. Kept quiet for most of the game Getty Images

SUBS: Timo Werner (On for Pulisic 69’) – 6. Had a good chance to pull Chelsea level swiftly after conceding but shot straight at Laporte. Reuters

Callum Hudson-Odoi (On for Ziyech 69’) – 5. Opened up space on the left wing but was too wasteful in his final delivery. Reuters

Mason Mount (On for Alonso 81’) – N/A. Not given enough time to effect the game. EPA

Chile’s Christiane Endler, who joined Lyon from Paris St Germain in June 2021, was named women’s goalkeeper of the year.

Tuchel was shocked to receive the award from world football’s governing body.

“It was a pretty normal day so far at the training centre. I’ve just come from training because we have a game [on Tuesday], but now you opened the envelope and said my name, it’s pretty surreal,” he said.

“I’m overwhelmed, I feel a bit uncomfortable, actually. I enjoy the journey and I enjoy the club, it’s a good fit. The company on the journey is so good, so I’m grateful to have such supportive people around me, to feel so good in such a competitive club.

“We’ve 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’ll try our best to fulfil our dreams.”

Hayes said she was taken aback at winning the accolade and paid tribute to her players and staff at Chelsea.

Speaking via video link at the ceremony, she said: “I’m completely shocked. It’s 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.

“I’ve got brilliant people at Chelsea that have helped to support the team to the place we’re at. Honestly, I’m absolutely shocked right now.”