The secrets to a sextet's success - FIFA BALLON D'OR
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Speaking to FIFA.com recently, former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn described how difficult it is to shine "if you don't truly live out your profession and aren't obsessed with wanting to improve yourself in every conceivable way". That idea is certainly borne out by the six candidates for the FIFA World Coach of the Year awards in the men's and women's game. United by their obsession for the sport, they are currently waiting to see if their efforts over the past year will be rewarded on 11 January, when the two triumphant nominees will be called to the stage at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala. FIFA.com now delves a little deeper into the lives and working methods of these remarkable coaches to get a better sense of the secrets behind their success.
Pep Guardiola
Famed for his penchant for attractive football, Pep Guardiola is also a rigorous analyst of the game. During his spell in charge of Barcelona, the Catalan native spent long hours studying the playing style of his team's opponents, right down to the minutest details. Now in his third season at Bayern Munich, Guardiola has not changed, particularly as those methods brought his side the German title last term. Bayern also reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and German Cup, and their Spanish coach wants to go further this year, breaking new records along the way. To do so, the meticulous tactician will again leave nothing to chance, which means fans can expect to see more of him gesticulating all match long as he passes instructions to his players. Always active in his technical area, he experiences each game intensely – so much so that he even managed to split a pair of trousers during one encounter. More recently, the 2011 FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men's Football was spotted handing a note to his captain Philipp Lahm mid-game. The former Germany defender and his colleagues quickly implemented Guardiola's ideas, and took the lead just minutes later.
Luis Enrique
Seen by many as continuing Guardiola's legacy at Barcelona, Luis Enrique cuts a calmer figure than his predecessor. The 45-year-old prefers not to distract his players by overloading them with instructions, but that different approach has also proved successful. Steering the Blaugrana out of the mini-crisis that followed Guardiola's departure, Luis Enrique led the club to a remarkable treble in 2015. And while he clearly strives to entertain supporters, he has set another, more surprising goal – "to enjoy ourselves" – with music and a positive atmosphere reigning in the dressing room since his arrival. The former Spain international has kept himself in top physical condition too, having completed a marathon in under three hours as well as competing in a triathlon and an Ironman event.
Jorge Sampaoli
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli is often likened to his fellow Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa – and it is a comparison he no doubt cherishes. A fan of the former Marseille boss, Sampaoli once even got hold of recordings of some of El Loco's team talks so that he could listen to them while jogging. As for passing on his own tactical message, the 55-year-old has designed a mobile app reminiscent of the FIFA video-game series which allows his players to tackle opponents similar to the side they will be facing next. His methods clearly work wonders, with Chile clinching their maiden Copa America title in 2015 before making a positive start in their qualifiers for Russia 2018. Sampaoli lives and breathes the game, and it is fair to say he did not inherit that obsession from his mother. After all, not only does she happily admit to knowing nothing about football, she believes that she is better off staying in the dark. That way, she is unlikely to read any unpleasant criticisms of her son, while being one of the few people he can talk to about something else.
Jill Ellis
With Jill Ellis at the helm, USA ended their 16-year wait for another global crown when they triumphed at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Canada™. The road to victory was long and strewn with obstacles, yet the 49-year-old has never been the type to refuse a challenge. As a child, for example, she grew up in an era when girls were not allowed to join football clubs, but she was always ready to fill in whenever her brother and his friends were a player short. Ellis then moved to the USA aged 15 and finished her studies there, before turning down some "very lucrative" job offers in order to dedicate herself to becoming a coach. It was a dream she eventually realised, and not least by remembering her own personal motto: "During difficult times, you have to take risks and stick with them." Now, she does things in her own unique way. Indeed, the Ellis approach is to see substitutes as "decisive assets" rather than mere replacements, and she is committed to sharing her vision with the members of her squad. Above all, the Portsmouth native sees her role not as a job but as a passion, as she explained in an interview with FIFA.com.
Mark Sampson
England enjoyed their best ever World Cup performance when they came in third at Canada 2015, and their breakthrough tournament owed much to coach Mark Sampson. The Welshman has made it his mission to instil a friendly atmosphere in his squad, and the Three Lionesses have reacted positively, as Lianne Sanderson explained to FIFA.com. "Training sessions are a real pleasure," she said. "He allows us to make mistakes. He treats us as adults." During the World Cup, the 33-year-old went out of his way to make the experience unforgettable for his charges, bringing a personal touch to even minor details. Instead of hanging player shirts up in the dressing room, for instance, he opted to pass them out to each player individually during the final team meeting before their trip to the stadium.
Norio Sasaki
Calm and methodical, Norio Sasaki might seem like the archetypal Japanese coach, but beyond the stereotypes the 57-year-old has made a real name for himself at the highest level. After leading his home nation to World Cup glory in 2011, he came close to repeating the feat this year when he took the Nadeshiko back to the final in Canada. Not the type of leader to be found screaming on the touch line, there is a composure and discretion to his style, though he admits he has been known to be more forthright from time to time. As he told FIFA.com: "It's just a way of showing that my team and I are ready to fight." FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football in 2011, every decision he takes is carefully thought out, but the secret to his success boils down to much more than his meticulous preparations. He also has his own private ritual. "For me, Lake Kawaguchi is a 'power spot' [place of soothing energy]. It's a beautiful place and offers a wonderful view of Mount Fuji. I often go there before a tournament and pray to the gods."