Defoe trio sparks Spurs as Liverpool stumble ( England striker Jermaine Defoe helped himself to three clinically-struck goals and moved Tottenham Hotspur a step closer to the UEFA Europa League knockout stages with a 3-1 win over Maribor of Slovenia on Thursday. With Group J leaders Lazio beating Panathanaikos 3-0 in Rome, Spurs are now two points clear of Maribor in the race for the second qualifying spot. Defoe's first came after just 22 minutes, knocking home a Gareth Bale cross at the near post, but Spurs appeared to have shot themselves in the foot with a dreadful defensive blunder five minutes before the half. Kyle Naughton hit a sloppy back pass and French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris failed to react as Robert Beric slipped in and knocked the ball home. But Defoe was on on hand again four minutes after the break with a left-foot effort after an incisive through ball from Thomas Carroll and cropped up again with a quarter-hour to go to slot home Bale's low cross from the left. It could have been a good deal worse for Maribor if Emmanuel Adebayor had taken any of the string of chances presented to him on a plate. Romans storm through Lazio swept into the qualifying round with a comfortable win over the Greeks with goals from Libor Kozak, in the 23rd and 40th minutes, and Sergio Floccari after 59. Holders Atletico Madrid came a cropper in Portugal, beaten 2-0 by Academica Coimbra, but with three wins already under their belt, are safely through to the knockout stages. A goal in each half from Wilson Eduardo, the second from the penalty spot, gave Acaedmica a comfortable win, but it was little more than consolation as they bowed out of the competition. It was a terrific team performance against players of top quality on a difficult pitch, but at this level you get punished when you make mistakes. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers The goal-scoring performance of the night came in Naples where Uruguay's Edinson Cavani hit all four of Napoli's goals against Ukrainian outfit Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk to bring them back from the brink after they found themselves 2-1 down with 52 minutes gone in their Group F tie. It was revenge for the surprise 3-1 defeat in Ukraine a fortnight ago and the Italians' cause was further helped by PSV Eindhoven slipping up in Sweden, going down 1-0 to AIK Solna, who had held them in the Netherlands two weeks ago. Liverpool lose in Moscow There is still everything to play for in Group A, where Anzhi Makhachkala moved to the top, leap-frogging Liverpool with a 1-0 win thanks to a lone Lacina Traore goal in freezing temperatures in Moscow. Having beaten Anzhi 1-0 at Anfield two weeks ago, Liverpool surrendered a two-point lead over their Russian rivals and are now a point adrift after four games. Liverpool's under-fire manager Brendan Rodgers said afterwards: "I feel for the players, I thought they were outstanding. The first half we were tactically terrific for 44 minutes and 50 seconds, but then we switched off and made a mistake right at the end. Speaking on ITV4, he added: "It was a terrific team performance against players of top quality on a difficult pitch, but at this level you get punished when you make mistakes." His opposite number Guus Hiddink remarked: "We didn't finish it off in the second half, we had two big opportunities, but it was an interesting game on a very bad pitch. They tested us so we have to be happy with this result." But Udinese failed to cash in when they went down 3-2 at home to Switzerland's Young Boys, setting up a nail-biting final round of matches. OM slip up late In Group C, English bad boy Joey Barton seemed to have set Marseille on their way to victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach, cancelling out Mike Hanke's 20th minute opener with a classic goal direct from a corner before Andre Ayew made it 2-1 after 67 minutes. But deep into injury time, the German side's Venezuelan sensation Juan Arango capitalised on a defensive mix-up to earn a draw which leaves the second qualifying spot up for grabs. Turkey's Fenerbahce are already through, clinching their place with a 2-0 win over little AEL Limassol of Cyprus, Dirk Kuyt grabbing the first inside 11 minutes and Moussa Sow wrapping it up before half-time. Newcastle kept their hopes alive with a come-from-behind draw away to Brugge in Belgium. The home team were two goals to the good after 19 minutes through Ivan Trickovski and Jesper Jorgensen, only for two goals in as many minutes just before the interval from Vurnon Anita and Shola Ameobi to level things for Alan Pardew's side. Newcastle are now just a point clear of Bordeaux, who had David Bellion's 16th minute goal to thank for victory over Portuguese side Maritimo Funchal.

2 Traore: We will take nothing for granted © AFP Although Mali are currently ranked third in Africa ahead of this January’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, the Les Aigles’ players have vowed that they will take nothing for granted in the finals. Nice midfielder Mahamane Traore told FIFA.com that they will not go into their Group B games against Ghana, Niger and DR Congo underestimating their opponents. "We all know Ghana is a very strong team. They defeated us last year, then we beat them for the third place. Both teams now know each other very well. It is up to us to try to beat them during the first leg, in order to end the group phase in first position. "As for Niger and DR Congo, some people tell me it will be easy for us. It would be a mistake to think so. You should always avoid being too self-confident. If those teams qualified, it means they are good!" The 24-year-old, who started his career with Cercle Olympique de Bamako in the Mali capital before joining Nice as a 17-year-old in 2005, disappointingly had to withdraw from the Mali squad at the Nations Cup, which were co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea earlier this year. An injury prevented him from being a part of the team that finished third. "It was unfortunate, but the team did very well. Finishing third is a very good result. We could have done even better. During the semi-finals against Côte d'Ivoire, we lost because of a very avoidable goal." During the AFCON, we will do our best to bring peace and unity to our country. Mali midfielder Mahamane Traore Alain Giresse was in charge of The Eagles as they posted their best result in four decades, but the former French international has since been replaced by compatriot and former Sunderland defender and Dijon FC coach Patrice Carteron. Traore is confident that the change will not have a negative effect on the team. "Only a few things have changed. The AFCON was ten months ago, so most of the players are the same. As far as the coaches are concerned, these are different persons. Each of them has its own method, and the players have to adapt. They follow different systems. With Patrice Carteron, we played our latest game in 4-4-2, although Alain Giresse preferred a 4-2-3-1 with Seydou Keita as a playmaker." Traore is confident that midfielder Keita, who has missed much of the season through injury since moving to China from Barcelona, will still play an important role in the side. "I am not too worried about Seydou Keita. You know, he did not play a lot with Barcelona last year, which did not prevent him from preparing well and playing a very good tournament. He can do the same this time around." Goalscoring defensive midfielder Since Claude Puel took over the coaching reins at Nice, Traore has been converted into a defensive midfielder. "When I came back from my loan with Metz, new coach Claude Puel started to use me as a defensive midfielder. At first I thought it was just to help him out. Then, I understood he wanted to use me in this position. He explained to me he wanted to see me in the heart of the game, to exploit my vision of the game. I did not ask myself any questions. I thought ‘why not, Claude Puel must have thought about it’. Since then, he has taken to his new role like a fish to water, scoring a late equaliser against Bordeaux in September and the opening goal in a 2-1 win against Nancy at the beginning of November. "Scoring goals proves I am starting to take pleasure, I like the fact that I am getting a lot of the ball, and it does not prevent me from being in front of the goal and scoring.” But then adaptability has been a strong suit for Traore and he has been used in different positions for Mali. "With the national team, I am used to playing on the left wing. I can also play on the right wing, or as a second striker a bit behind Cheick Diabate, like [in the recent AFCON qualifier] against Botswana. Now I have shown I can also play as a defensive midfielder. So it's obviously an advantage for me." Traore now hopes that the national team can use their appearance in South Africa to bring some joy to his troubled country, where many people have died in unrest this year. "I spend a lot of time on the web, keeping a constant eye at Malian sites. I am very worried for my country and wondering when this turmoil will end. Mali used to be a quiet and peaceful country. We all hope we will soon find this old Mali back because we are all Malians. During the AFCON, we will do our best to bring peace and unity to our country. We all pray that this tense and worrisome situation comes to an end."

Hristo STOICHKOV Stoichkov: A gifted bad boy Hristo Stoichkov was both a genius and a polemic figure on the pitch. Loved by some but denounced by others, the former striker regularly divided opinion. Considered the best footballer Bulgaria has ever produced, Stoichkov has a trophy cabinet a player of his undoubted talent deserves. The forward was feared for his speed and potent shot, but is widely remembered for his fiery temperament. When he channeled his aggression during a match, he was a formidable player, often carrying his team single-handedly. Renowned for his never-say-die attitude, Stoichkov fought for the ball with the fierce intensity whether it was the first minute or the last. Nevertheless, that aggression was also his own worst enemy, and he became a controversial figure through occasional violent outbursts and irate protestations. Dream Team idol Born in Plovdiv on 8 February 1966, Stoichkov began his career as a teenager in Bulgaria’s second division. His performances soon attracted the attention of the country’s biggest team, CSKA Sofia, who signed him as an 18-year-old. A year later the youngster was involved in a brawl in the Bulgarian Cup final that almost resulted in a lifetime ban. However, the punishment was reduced to a month’s suspension and upon his return to action, Stoichkov showed the other side of his character with some dazzling performances and a keen eye for goal. He was awarded the Golden Boot in 1989 for finishing as Europe’s top scorer with 38 strikes in just 30 games. No Bulgarian will ever match my achievements. Hristo Stoichkov In 1990 a move to Barcelona followed, where the No8 became one of the icons of Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team, winning numerous titles, including the club’s first-ever European Cup. Aside from a spell in Italy with Parma during the 1994/95 campaign, the striker was with the Iberian side until 1998. Despite an inauspicious start to his time with the Catalans - Stoichkov received a two-month ban following a deliberate stamp on a referee - they were his best years as a footballer. Not only did he win titles, the free-scoring forward also conquered the hearts of the fans with his explosive runs, prodigious left foot and unique ability to swerve past an opponent at top speed. Bulgarian hero One of the highlights of Stoichkov’s career came in 1994, when he was awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or by French magazine France Football. It coincided with his rise to hero status in the national team, after guiding Bulgaria to their best finish at a FIFA World Cup™. At USA 1994, the east Europeans reached the semi-finals, where they lost to Italy 2-1 before succumbing to Sweden 4-0 in the match for third place. Stoichkov’s disappointment was offset by the personal satisfaction of finishing as the tournament’s joint-top scorer, along with Russia’s Oleg Salenko. Two years later Bulgaria qualified for the European Championships for the first time in 28 years. While they were eliminated at the group stage, Stoichkov scored in each game in what was unquestionably a golden era for Bulgarian football. The forward retired from the international scene in 1999 after 13 years in which he netted 37 times in 83 appearances. “No Bulgarian will ever match my achievements,” he told FIFA.com with characteristic confidence in 2007. Career change After leaving Barcelona, Stoichkov returned briefly to CSKA. Before hanging up his boots for good in 2004, spells with Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia, Kashima Reysol in Japan as well as a stint in MLS, where he became a cult figure with Chicago Fire, marked the final chapter of his playing days. Not wanting to leave the game entirely, Stoichkov embarked on a coaching career and learned the ropes in Barcelona, having established his home there. In 2004 he took charge of the Bulgarian national team, but internal conflicts quickly surfaced after clashes with some of the side’s leading players. Failure to qualify for the 2008 European Championship led to his dismissal as coach in 2007. Stoichkov subsequently took on the challenge of keeping a struggling Celta de Vigo side in Spain’s Primera Division, but was unsuccessful and lasted just six months at the club. A season on the touchline at South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns followed before Stoichkov took up his current post at the helm of Litex Lovech in his homeland. While he has not been able to replicate his success as a player from the dugout, he still displays the same commitment and hot temperament - qualities that can inspire and motivate his charges, but occasionally still land him in hot water. That is unlikely to change, given the controversial Bulgarian’s summary of his career: “Do I regret anything? A lot of things, but I’ll never let my guard down because there’s always somebody trying to get the better of you, especially people who envy you.”

Roberto Carlos: I want to be down on the touchline ( When he returned to Brazil in late 2009, to sign for Corinthians at the ripe old age of 36, it was not hard to picture Roberto Carlos playing on forever. Supremely fit and performing to a typically high standard, he seemed to have many years of football left in him. This August, however, he finally called it a day after enjoying a farewell stint captaining Anzhi Makhachkala. Now a sporting director with the big-spending Russian Premier League club, the incombustible Brazilian still takes part in training sessions and is preparing the ground for his next career move - one that will take him into coaching. Discussing all this and more, he spoke exclusively to FIFA.com: FIFA.com: Roberto, what expectations can we have of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™? Roberto Carlos: Things have really been helped on the pitch by the arrival of several quality overseas players in the league and by the mindset [Fabio] Capello has brought as national coach. Then there’s the fact that the country has a very strong economy and is doing very well right now. Obviously everyone knows Moscow and Saint Petersburg, but Russia’s got other great cities too and it’s got the infrastructure, railways and everything else. I think it’s going to be one of the best-organised World Cups yet. Tell us about your job as sporting director. Is it something you intend to do long-term and make a career of? I’ve been travelling with the team and working side-by-side with the coaches, but I’m still taking part in training sessions out there on the pitch. It’s a new life, one that I’m enjoying a lot. We’re coming to the end of 2012 though, and I need to get my coaching licence. It’s great to be a director and take on the responsibilities that come with it, but my business is down there on the touchline. That’s what I want. Mano Menezes recently told FIFA.com that working with great players like you and Ronaldo at Corinthians was an important step on the road to becoming Brazil’s national team coach. What was so special about working with him there? It was a great experience because he taught me a lot: how to handle players, how to talk to the big stars. He looked on it like a friendship, but he was always responsible about it too. Mano didn’t need Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo to get to the national team, and he knows very well how to deal with that kind of situation. I remember him coming up to us and being very straight from day one. He said he needed our help to do his job, and from that point on everything worked just fine. You experienced the highs and lows of representing your country, like winning the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and suffering defeat and all the pressure that comes with that. Do you think the things that happen in a FIFA World Cup shape a player’s career? Every Brazil team that competes in a major tournament, especially the World Cup, is defined by what they do there. Obviously, playing for A Seleção is a massive boost for anyone’s career but at the same time the margin for error is very small. I played for the national side for more than a decade and yet a lot of people remember me for one goal we let in, one goal that was supposedly my fault (France’s winner in the quarter-finals at Germany 2006). Don’t say that. Think about the likes of Nilton Santos, Junior and Branco. I’m flattered when people say that and I’m happy with the career I’ve had, but I honestly see them as different class. Roberto Carlos on being told he'll go down as one of the greatest-ever left-backs What do you make of the transitional process Mano has been overseeing with the Brazil team? Do you think there’s too much responsibility on Neymar, as some have been saying? Every team needs leaders, but not just one or two. You need a few of them, like we had in the 2002 team. Mano knows that and he’s not going to heap all the responsibility of leading the team on Neymar. It’s for the likes of Thiago Silva and Kaka to do that. All Neymar has to do is play football, not worry about being a leader. You played against him when he was just starting out. Are you surprised by his rise to stardom? I first met Neymar when he was 14, when he came to Spain to have a look around at Real Madrid. You could definitely tell then and from watching videos of him that he could play a bit. I think his family is the reason he’s made light of all the hype and come on so well. Sometimes talent’s not enough if you don’t have your head screwed on properly and people you can trust around you, like I had, and like Ronaldo and Kaka have had. You made the left-back position your own for many years in A Seleção, at a time when there was plenty of competition around. There’s been a bit of a vacuum there since you left, though. Why is that? Throughout my Brazil career there were always an awful lot of options, most of them very attacking players like Ze Roberto, Serginho, Junior, Athirson and Felipe. I think leaving at an early age for Inter Milan helped me. I played a lot in defence there and that helped me become a more complete player. The quality of the competition was really high too, though I honestly think it was all a bit of a coincidence that we found someone to take the position full-time after an initial struggle to fill it. Sometimes you have a lot of options and sometimes you don’t. We’ve got Marcelo now. He’s got a lot of quality and I hope he makes the position his for the next ten years. Marcelo is also compared to you when he plays for Real Madrid, where you were a legend. What was it about your game that fans enjoyed so much, even the fans of Sao Paulo rivals Palmeiras and Corinthians? I think the fans could see I had a lot of fun with the ball, so much so in fact that I was still playing every match by the time I got to 38 and 39, even when I was at Corinthians. I only missed games when Adilson [Batista] wanted to rest me (laughs). One of your strongest suits was your shooting. When did you realise you had a gift for hitting the ball hard and is there any piece of advice that stuck with you throughout your career? I’ve always had that power in my left foot, ever since I was a little boy. The key thing was that lot of people taught me a lot about what to do with it, people like Otacilio [Goncalves], [Vanderlei] Luxemburgo and [Carlos Alberto] Parreira, though it was Luxemburgo who taught me the most. He played as a fullback too, at least he told me he used to play, though I’m not sure if I should believe him or not (laughs). When I was starting out, I’d get to the byline and almost always try to shoot on goal. Vanderlei taught me to how to position myself, to look up and see what was going on in the box, cross the ball, and choose the right time to get forward. As someone who’s only just retired are you aware that you’ll go down as one of the greatest left-backs of all time? Don’t say that. Think about the likes of Nilton Santos, Junior and Branco. They were all great teachers and a great inspiration for me. I’m flattered when people say that and I’m happy with the career I’ve had, but I honestly see them as different class.

FIFA joins in Palestinian commemorations Palestine has been ravaged by internal and external conflict throughout the 21st century. Yet, through FIFA’s aid, football has made significant progress there in recent years. This week, a FIFA delegation led by FIFA Executive committee member Lydia Nsekera was in Ramallah to celebrate the three-year anniversary of the first women’s international played on home soil. Palestine joined FIFA in 1998 but had been unable to play internationals within their borders until funding from world football’s governing body helped them build a stadium up to international standards in 2008, when it welcomed Jordan for its maiden match with FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter in attendance. FIFA also aided the construction of new offices for the Palestinian Football Association (PFA). FIFA has also been instrumental in the development of women’s football in the Middle Eastern state. In 2008, the Al-Husseini stadium in Ramallah was refurbished with a latest-generation international-standard artificial pitch, stands were built, facilities upgraded, new offices for the Palestinian FA and a training centre being built, with a contribution of $800,000 from FIFA. Since then, indeed, FIFA has organised several courses for coaches and children, and helped with the establishment of the Palestinian Women’s Football League last year. In Ramallah, the FIFA delegation met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, PFA President Jibril Al Rajoub, and Mr. Wilfried Lemke, a Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace. Football is a wonderful school and family for both boys and girls, and I would like to thank the Palestinian FA, the government and the whole community for supporting women’s football. Lydia Nsekera, FIFA Executive Committe member President Abbas showed his appreciation: “I would like to thank FIFA for its great support towards football development in Palestine. This visit from FIFA is a milestone for Palestinian football and, in particular, the development of women’s football.” The next stop was Bethlehem, where, during a ceremony, they watched a video presentation of Palestinian women’s football. PFA President Rajoub urged Palestinians to have belief. "If we are convinced about these concepts, we can convince others,” he said. “And if we practice these we will put our enemies in the corner in the name of morality.” Nsekera greeted the attendees, which included members of the Palestinian women’s football team, on behalf of the FIFA President, before adding: “Football is a wonderful school and family for both boys and girls, and I would like to thank the Palestinian FA, the government and the whole community for supporting women’s football.” The formalities then took a back-seat as the fun took over. Indeed, everybody headed to the Al Khader Stadium on Sunday evening to watch Palestine host United Arab Emirates in a women’s international. They were treated to six goals and although the Palestinians lost 4-2, their goals, courtesy of Walaa Hussein and Karol Sahejan, were celebrated passionately. If Palestinian football continues to progress as it has done in recent years, the country will have cause aplenty for celebration in the future.

FIFA joins in Palestinian commemorations Palestine has been ravaged by internal and external conflict throughout the 21st century. Yet, through FIFA’s aid, football has made significant progress there in recent years. This week, a FIFA delegation led by FIFA Executive committee member Lydia Nsekera was in Ramallah to celebrate the three-year anniversary of the first women’s international played on home soil. Palestine joined FIFA in 1998 but had been unable to play internationals within their borders until funding from world football’s governing body helped them build a stadium up to international standards in 2008, when it welcomed Jordan for its maiden match with FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter in attendance. FIFA also aided the construction of new offices for the Palestinian Football Association (PFA). FIFA has also been instrumental in the development of women’s football in the Middle Eastern state. In 2008, the Al-Husseini stadium in Ramallah was refurbished with a latest-generation international-standard artificial pitch, stands were built, facilities upgraded, new offices for the Palestinian FA and a training centre being built, with a contribution of $800,000 from FIFA. Since then, indeed, FIFA has organised several courses for coaches and children, and helped with the establishment of the Palestinian Women’s Football League last year. In Ramallah, the FIFA delegation met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, PFA President Jibril Al Rajoub, and Mr. Wilfried Lemke, a Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace. Football is a wonderful school and family for both boys and girls, and I would like to thank the Palestinian FA, the government and the whole community for supporting women’s football. Lydia Nsekera, FIFA Executive Committe member President Abbas showed his appreciation: “I would like to thank FIFA for its great support towards football development in Palestine. This visit from FIFA is a milestone for Palestinian football and, in particular, the development of women’s football.” The next stop was Bethlehem, where, during a ceremony, they watched a video presentation of Palestinian women’s football. PFA President Rajoub urged Palestinians to have belief. "If we are convinced about these concepts, we can convince others,” he said. “And if we practice these we will put our enemies in the corner in the name of morality.” Nsekera greeted the attendees, which included members of the Palestinian women’s football team, on behalf of the FIFA President, before adding: “Football is a wonderful school and family for both boys and girls, and I would like to thank the Palestinian FA, the government and the whole community for supporting women’s football.” The formalities then took a back-seat as the fun took over. Indeed, everybody headed to the Al Khader Stadium on Sunday evening to watch Palestine host United Arab Emirates in a women’s international. They were treated to six goals and although the Palestinians lost 4-2, their goals, courtesy of Walaa Hussein and Karol Sahejan, were celebrated passionately. If Palestinian football continues to progress as it has done in recent years, the country will have cause aplenty for celebration in the future.

Men’s shortlists for FIFA Ballon d’Or gala 2012 revealed © Getty Images Four days after announcing the names of the candidates for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football for 2012 awards, FIFA and France Football have today revealed the names for the men’s awards. The candidates for the FIFA Ballon d’Or and for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football awards have been unveiled (see below). The final decisions will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football. The winners of all of the awards will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 7 January 2013, during which the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Puskás Award – for the most beautiful goal of the year – the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented. The list of 23 male candidates has been drawn up by football experts from the FIFA Football Committee and by a group of experts from France Football. The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by the Committee for Women’s Football and FIFA Women’s World Cup and by the FIFA Football Committee, as well as by a group of experts from France Football. On 29 November 2012, FIFA and France Football will announce at a press conference in São Paulo (Brazil) the names of the three men and three women, as well as the three coaches for women’s football and three coaches for men’s football, who have received the most votes (without unveiling the winners). The three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award and the FIFA FIFPro World XI shortlist for the best forwards will also be announced (the shortlists for best goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders will be unveiled on 19, 22 and 26 November, respectively). Men’s shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala 2012 The following 23 men (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012: Sergio Agüero (Argentina), Xabi Alonso (Spain),Mario Balotelli (Italy), Karim Benzema (France), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Sergio Busquets (Spain), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire), Radamel Falcao (Colombia), Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Manuel Neuer (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Özil (Germany), Gerard Piqué (Spain), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire), Robin van Persie (Netherlands), Xavi (Spain). The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order, first nationality and then team) are in contention for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2012: Vicente del Bosque (Spain/Spain national team), Roberto Di Matteo (Italy/Chelsea FC), Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC), Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Barcelona former coach), Jupp Heynckes (Germany/FC Bayern München), Jürgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), Joachim Löw (Germany/Germany national team), Roberto Mancini (Italy/Manchester City FC), José Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid CF), Cesare Prandelli (Italy/Italy national team).