There is a simple reason Luis Enrique stands out: repeat European success is rare. The report says PSG became only the second club in the post-European Cup era to win the competition in back-to-back seasons. That gives his nomination a weight the others must chase.
He also has recent history on his side.
Arteta’s argument is built on restoration. Arsenal reportedly reached the European final, suffering their only defeat of that campaign there, and also returned to the top of the Premier League after a long wait. That is not just progress; it is a shift in status.
Kompany has a cleaner domestic case after guiding Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title. De la Fuente brings international weight after Spain won the World Cup, while Emery has a strong cup-plus-league platform after Aston Villa won the Europa League and finished in the top four.
The women’s award will produce a new winner. Jonatan Giráldez, Andrée Jeglertz, Nils Nielsen, Pere Romeu and Elena Sadiku are the nominees after recent wins by Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman. Sadiku’s inclusion is especially eye-catching after a campaign that reportedly began at Celtic before ending with BK Häcken lifting the Europe Cup.
With the ceremony due next month, the next question is whether voters favour sustained dominance, transformative rebuilding or the biggest one-season peak. That debate should define the final stretch of the awards build-up.