Pere Romeu will not forget 26 October 2026 in a hurry. The FC Barcelona coach has been named Women's Coach of the Year at the Ballon d'Or gala, earning individual recognition for his outstanding work after a perfect season in which his team won every trophy available to them. 

Perfect season

Most importantly, the UEFA Women's Champions League, the only trophy that had eluded him in his first season. In his second campaign, the domestic treble of Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and Spanish Super Cup, together with the Copa Catalunya, was complemented by the long-awaited Champions League title, won in spectacular fashion with a 4-0 victory in the final against OL Lyonnes. 

Confidence in La Masia 

All this, combined with the coach's commitment to generational renewal by giving opportunities to young players from La Masia, and the footballing excellence displayed by the team throughout last season, has elevated him to the status of Coach of the Year, the award he received in London. 

This is the third edition of the award, which was introduced in 2024 by France Football at the Ballon d'Or ceremony under the name of the Johan Cruyff Trophy. Although its name has since been changed to Coach of the Year, it is particularly fitting that the coach of the team that plays its home matches at the Johan Cruyff Stadium continues the legacy.

First blaugrana to win 

It is also the first time that an FC Barcelona coach has won the award, in either the women's or the men's category. Emma Hayes (Chelsea, 2024) and Sarina Wiegman (England national team, 2025) were the previous winners in the women's game, while Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid, 2024) and Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain, 2025) received the honour in the men's category.