Ex-Japan coach Nils Nielsen nominated for Ballon d'Or Women's Coach of the Year 2026

Asian Cup-winning coach Nils Nielsen in running for Ballon d'Or 2026 award

Nils Nielsen has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or Women's Coach of the Year 2026 after winning the Asian Cup with Japan. The Danish coach is now technical director at Como 1907.

From criticism in Tokyo to recognition in London. Former Japan boss Nils Nielsen is a Ballon d’Or nominee...

Danish coach Nils Nielsen, once criticized for lacking passion, has been nominated for the prestigious Women’s Coach of the Year 2026 award at the Ballon d’Or.

The ceremony will be held in London on 26 October.

The nomination comes after Nielsen’s success with Japan’s women’s national team, which he guided to Asian Cup glory in spring 2026. He stepped down when his contract ended and has since taken a technical director role at newly-promoted Italian side Como 1907.

The Japan Football Association decided not to extend Nielsen’s deal after it expired at the end of the Asian Cup. National team director Norio Sasaki said his approach was “a little too relaxed” and that he lacked the intense drive required to win next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nominated for the 2026 Women's Coach of the Year ⬇️

Jonatan Giráldez - OL Lyonnes
Andrée Jeglertz - Manchester City
Nils Nielsen - Japan national team
Pere Romeu - FC Barcelona
Elena Sadiku - Celtic/BK Häcken pic.twitter.com/RkviTlGEh7

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026

Nielsen has coached the women’s national teams of Denmark, Switzerland and Japan. He has also served as Director of Football at Manchester City Women, overseeing recruitment and development for both the first team and the academy pathway.