UEFA's Men's Coach of the Year award typically goes to the Champions League winner each season, as seen in 2021 when Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel won it despite being let go from PSG earlier that year. This pattern is predictable and uninteresting. Who truly excelled in a season: the coach who guided a high-budget team through Champions League knockout stages, or the one who elevated a low-budget team to a respectable midtable position?

Even if a strong manager boosts a team by 10% and a weak one hinders it by 30%, let's recognize the coaches who delivered outstanding performances this season, whether by transforming strong teams into champions, saving relegation-threatened sides, achieving unexpected promotions, or leading teams toward Champions League glory.

Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo left Valencia in 2015, was dismissed by Porto in 2017, departed Wolves by mutual agreement in 2021, and was let go from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021 and Al-Ittihad in 2023. This reflects a pattern of frequent changes over the past decade, though he has had successes amid the ups and downs.

In 2024-25, he has achieved something extraordinary at Nottingham Forest, proving that with the right resources, he can excel. Espirito Santo's counterattacking style has thrived with solid defenders like Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic, dynamic attackers such as Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, and a reliable striker in Chris Wood. After finishing 16th and 17th in the Premier League the previous two seasons, Forest entered April in third place.

They benefited from some statistical luck to reach that position and have faced setbacks recently, but they secured a top-seven finish, earning a spot in European competitions for 2025-26, and remain just one point from the top five. This is a remarkable turnaround for a team that was one point above the relegation zone when Espirito Santo joined midway through 2023-24.

Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain

In his first season at PSG, Enrique secured the domestic treble and nearly reached the Champions League final. In his second year, he has already won two domestic trophies, advanced to the Coupe de France final, and progressed further in the Champions League semifinals. They will face Reims for another title on May 24 and Inter Milan in the final on May 31.

While some might say they are as strong as last year but luckier, this overlooks key details. PSG improved despite losing a world-class player like Kylian Mbappé and showed clear progress over the season. Enrique entrusted young talents such as Désiré Doué (19), Warren Zaïre-Emery (19), João Neves (20), and Bradley Barcola (22) with significant roles, leading to initial inconsistencies. However, from mid-December, they became the world's top team—fast, relentless in possession and defense—and are now 90 minutes from potentially winning the Champions League.

Claudio Ranieri, AS Roma

When the 73-year-old Ranieri started his third stint at Roma on November 14, the team was in turmoil, having already dismissed two coaches—Daniele De Rossi by September 18 and Ivan Juric shortly after—and winning only four of their first 16 matches across all competitions. This was an exceptionally poor start even for a volatile club.

If the season had begun when Ranieri arrived, Roma would be just two points from the title race. Since his appointment, they have closed the gap to one point from a Champions League spot. After a dismal beginning, they suffered only their second loss since early February in a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta. Ranieri has revitalized the team by minimizing high-quality chances conceded and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Midfielder Moussa Koné has shone as a versatile player, and striker Artem Dovbyk has found his form after a slow start.

Originally, Ranieri's career seemed set to end with promoting Cagliari in 2023 and saving them from relegation in 2024, but he has delivered one final impressive turnaround.

Liam Rosenior, Strasbourg

While BlueCo's main club, Chelsea, continues to struggle in its third season under new ownership, their other team, Strasbourg in eastern France, has thrived under the 40-year-old former Hull City player and manager, Rosenior.

Strasbourg won only three of their first 14 league matches and appeared destined for another bottom-half finish in Ligue 1. However, since their December 15 victory over Le Havre, they have averaged 2.26 points per game, outpacing all but PSG. They are tied for fourth and enter the final matchday with a chance for their first Champions League or European Cup qualification since losing to Ajax in the 1979-80 quarterfinals.

Rosenior has built a versatile side capable of counterattacking or maintaining possession, effectively utilizing duel-winning midfielders like Andrey Santos and Dilane Bakwa. It's an inspiring story.

Hansi Flick, Barcelona

Beat and sweep Real Madrid? Achieved.

Win three trophies? Achieved.

Play the most entertaining football globally? Achieved.

The only blemish was a late defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals, making this a nearly flawless season for Barcelona. Flick, hired after an unusual saga at a club known for them, perfectly reinvigorated players like Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong, delivering thrilling and effective play.