Football fans have been left stunned after the shortlist for the Best FIFA Men's Coach award was revealed on Thursday.
Lionel Scaloni, who led Argentina to their first World Cup triumph since 1986, is named on the shortlist for the first time in his managerial career.
The Argentine has been joined on the three-man shortlist by Italian veteran, Carlo Ancelotti. The 63-year-old lead Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double, overcoming Paris St Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in the process.
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But it's the inclusion of Manchester City gaffer Pep Guardiola that has left social media up in arms, with fans bemused as to how the Spaniard has been named on the list in light of the charges brought against his club earlier this week.
One fan said: "Will Pep still get it, under the circumstance?", while another added "How can Pep be nominated? They have cheated!"
A third stated: "Why is Guardiola there? Why isn’t Walid Regragui (Morocco national team) there? Stefano Pioli (AC Milan)? You expect people to take this seriously?"
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Pep Guardiola's long-term Manchester City future has been thrown into doubt in recent days, after footage re-emerged of the Spaniard vowing to leave the club if he had been lied to by senior figures regarding accusations of financial misconduct.
It comes after the Premier League accused the reigning champions of over 100 counts of financial misconduct, dating back to the 2009-10 campaign.
Bookmakers have have been quick to react to the news, with one suggesting that is now more likely than not that Guardiola leaves the club prior to the start of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
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Guardiola has been in charge of Manchester CIty since the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign, and recently signed a two-year contract extension with the club that is set to see the Spaniard remain in charge until 2025.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Argentina, Manchester City
