Overview
- Portugal’s Roberto Martínez placed second with 83 points, with Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni third on 59.
- De la Fuente led the 2025 ballot with 136 points, repeating his 2024 win after Spain’s recent Nations League and Euro 2024 titles set the platform for a dominant year.
- The top 10 also included Ståle Solbakken (Norway), Thomas Tuchel (England), Didier Deschamps (France), Walid Regragui (Morocco), Timur Kapadze (Uzbekistan), Néstor Lorenzo of Colombia in ninth with 10 points, and Mexico’s Javier Aguirre in tenth with 8.
- Reports linked Aguirre’s recognition to Mexico’s 2025 Gold Cup triumph and the 2024–25 Concacaf Nations League title.
- The IFFHS noted that its ranking is based on expert votes and annual performance analysis, a year-end snapshot as Spain and Argentina look to the March 27, 2026 Finalissima in Lusail and the 2026 World Cup in North America.