Spain Coach Vicente del Bosque has been announced as the winner of the Coach of the Year award at the Ballon d’Or gala.
The former Real Madrid boss has been recognised for leading Spain to glory at Euro 2012 last summer, where they defeated Italy 4-0 in the final. It was Spain’s third international tournament success in a row and the second on Del Bosque’s watch.
He triumphed in Zurich’s Kongresshaus amid competition from former Barcelona tactician Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho, who wasn't present.
The 62-year-old thanked his players and saluted his fellow nominees before making an appeal for moral standards in the game.
“Congratulations to Guardiola and Mourinho,” he stated on the podium after being presented with the award by Brazil counterpart Luiz Felipe Scolari.
“Thanks to the players on my team because they are very good and make us all better. Thanks to all my family and to the coaches I’ve had in my career, because I was encouraged to be a Coach.
“We all love football and want to win, but we are obliged to care for it, and conform to the highest ethical standards.”
