Jürgen Klopp against Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, Karim Benzema against Thibaut Courtois and Kevin de Bruyne - these are the final duels for the titles as Europe's coach and footballer of the year. Robert Lewandowski gets too few votes for it, a Frankfurt lands in twelfth place.
Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois from Champions League winners Real Madrid and former Bundesliga professional Kevin De Bruyne can hope for the European Footballer of the Year award. German players or current Bundesliga stars are not among the three nominees. The winners of the awards will be announced during the Champions League group draw on August 25. The participants in the group phases of the European Cup competitions and selected journalists voted.
Former Wolfsburg offensive player De Bruyne had become English champion with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and had failed in the semi-finals of the Champions League at eventual winners Real Madrid. Among the Spanish champions, De Bruyne's Belgian national team-mate and goalkeeper Courtois and French striker Benzema stood out last season.
Former Bayern star Robert Lewandowski, who moved to FC Barcelona, missed the chance to win the honor in the Champions League group stage draw when he finished fourth. The Polish international was also recently awarded nothing in the election for Germany's footballer of the year, instead Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig was honored. Filip Kostić, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt and will play for Juventus in the future, came in 12th with seven points.
The candidates for Europe's Coach of the Year are Jürgen Klopp from Champions League finalists Liverpool, Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City). Midfielder Jorginho was honored by Chelsea FC last year, Thomas Tuchel was honored as coach after the Blues' Champions League victory. The women's nominees will be announced next week.
