FIFA have released the 10-man short-list for the 2016 Best Men's Coach of the Year award, the second set of nominees announced by world football governing body for the new wave of annual prizes after control of the Ballon d'Or returned to France Football magazine.
Euro 2016 winner Fernando Santos, who delivered Portugal's first ever international silverware in July, is among the early favourites. He is joined by fellow national team coaches Chris Coleman for his achievements with Wales, and France boss Didier Deschamps.
Claudio Ranieri also features on the list after his incredible feat guiding Leicester City to the Premier League title. Jurgen Klopp, who took Liverpool to the Europa League final, Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola are the other named from English football.
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is another favourite after guiding Los Blancos to an unprecedented 11th European title mere months after taking his first senior management role.
La Liga heavyweights Luis Enrique of Barcelona and Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid are also nominated.
10-Man Short-list for 2016 Best FIFA Men's Coach of the Year:
Chris Coleman (Wales)
Didier Deschamps (France)
Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich/Manchester City)
Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Luis Enrique (Barcelona)
Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham Hotspur)
Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City)
Fernando Santos (Portugal)
Diego Simeone (Atlético Madrid)
Zinédine Zidane (Real Madrid)
FIFA announced eight annual accolades earlier this week that make up the newly designed 'Best FIFA Football Awards'. The prizes will be handed out at the grand ceremony in Zurich on 9th January.
The short-list for Best Women's Coach of the Year was released on Tuesday, featuring the likes of Germany's Olympic gold medal winning coach Silvia Neid, Sweden's Pia Sundhage and United States boss Jill Ellis, as well English-born Canada coach John Herdman.
The candidates for Best Men's Player and Best Women's Player will be released later this week, while nominees for the Puskas award and FIFpro World XI will follow in due course.
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