Spain coach Vicente del Bosque (left) was named coach of the year for 2012, seeing off competition from Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho and former Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola at a FIFA gala. World and European champion Del Bosque won the honour for the first time having lost out to Mourinho two years earlier.
“It is an honour to represent Spanish football and the Spanish national side. I thank all the players — they make us (the coaches) better,” said Del Bosque.
Spaniards rule
Meanwhile, six Spaniards made the team of the year for 2012. Of the 11 selected, Barcelona and Real Madrid provided five each. The ‘Dream Team’ as selected by FIFPro, the players’ union, saw Atletico Madrid’s striker Radamel Falcao the only player to play for another club selected as La Liga made a clean sweep.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas made the cut, marshalling a defence comprising Brazilians Dani Alves of Barca and Real’s Marcelo with Real’s Sergio Ramos and the Catalan club’s Gerard Pique in central defence.
Barcelona pair Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta were selected in midfield along with Real Madrid strongman Xabi Alonso, with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Falcao in a three-pronged attack.u00a0
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