England’s Sarina Wiegman crowned best women’s coach at Fifa awards

England’s march to the Euro 2022 title has led to Sarina Wiegman being named best women’s coach at the Best Fifa Awards in Paris.

Wiegman led the Lionesses to the country’s first major title since the men’s World Cup triumph in 1966 last summer. A key member of that team, Mary Earps, was also named best women’s goalkeeper at last night’s ceremony.

“From when I could walk, I loved football and over the years I’ve seen how the women’s game has grown and developed,” said Wiegman, who pipped Lyon’s Sonia Bompastor and Brazil’s national coach Pia Sundhage to the award. “It’s incredible to be here right now and celebrate women’s football. We have heroes in this room, little girls have their idols.”

Wiegman described the Euros as “incredible”, adding: “Stadiums full, so many families, all celebrating football. As the English say: ‘We brought it home.’”

Earps started every game for England at the Euros and beat Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Chile’s Christiane Endler to the top women’s goalkeeper award.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for me,” said the Manchester United player in what proved an emotional speech. “Thank you so much to my loved ones, for peeling me off the kitchen floor. To all my teammates, the coaching staff at England and United … thank you Sarina for believing me in the way you have. Anyone who’s been in a dark place, keep going, know there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Be unapologetically yourself.”

Earps’s fellow Lionesses Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Beth Mead were named in the women’s team of the year while Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas was named best women’s player.

Best Women’s Player: Alexia Putellas

Best Men’s Player: Lionel Messi

Best Women’s Coach: Sarina Wiegman

Best Men’s