Filipa Patão nominated for Coach of the Year

Filipa Patão is a candidate for the Best Coach of the Year trophy in women's football, awarded by France Football and UEFA. The nomination of the head coach of SL Benfica's women's football team for this award was announced on Wednesday, September 4.

A four-time national champion, she also guided the Inspiradoras to success in the Super Cup, Portuguese Cup and League Cup last season (2023/24), an unprecedented feat.

Internationally, the Eagles reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time, a feat that helped them climb to 10th place in the UEFA ranking, a historical record.

In addition to Filipa Patão, the following coaches have been nominated: Sonia Bompastor (Lyon/Chelsea), Arthur Elias (Corinthians/Brazil), Jonatan Giráldez (Barcelona/Washington Spirit), Emma Hayes (Chelsea/USA) and Sarina Wiegman (England).

The winner of the Best Coach in Women's Football trophy will be announced at a ceremony in Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet on October 28. This is the first time the award will be presented, after UEFA and Groupe Amaury, owner of the media companies France Football and L'Équipe, announced a partnership to co-organize the Ballon d'Or from this year.