English Premier League
Mourinho and Flick go head-to-head for La Liga’s August manager award
Jose Mourinho and Hansi Flick will face each other for the first time in a direct contest as they compete for La Liga’s manager of the month award for August, several weeks before Real Madrid meet FC Barcelona in the league’s clasico.
La Liga announced on Wednesday that Mourinho, the returning Real Madrid manager, and Flick, who is in charge of the defending champions FC Barcelona, had been nominated for the prize. The final shortlist also includes Quique Sanchez Flores, manager of Deportivo Alaves.
The award will be decided by a public vote, with supporters given four days to choose their preferred manager before the winner is announced. La Liga shared the three candidates on its official social media channels and opened the poll to fans.
All three candidates made a strong start to the campaign, although Mourinho and Flick’s teams recorded perfect records during the three league rounds played in August.
Mourinho led Real Madrid to victories over Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Malaga. It marked the Portuguese manager’s return to the club, and his side collected all nine available points from their opening fixtures.
Flick also oversaw three wins with FC Barcelona. The reigning champions defeated Elche, Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano to match Real Madrid’s maximum points haul.
Despite both teams winning every game, FC Barcelona sit top of the La Liga table. They have nine points and lead Real Madrid on goal difference, with a mark of plus 10 compared with Real Madrid’s plus eight.
Deportivo Alaves are fourth with seven points after Sanchez Flores guided them to two victories and one draw across the opening three rounds.
The nomination creates an early contest between Mourinho and Flick ahead of their first league meeting. The two managers are among the leading figures at Spain’s biggest clubs, but their first direct duel comes through the monthly coaching award rather than on the pitch.
The clasico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona is still several weeks away. Before then, fans will decide which of the three managers made the most impressive start during August.
Supporters can take part in the La Liga poll through the league’s voting platform. The award winner will be confirmed after the four-day voting period ends.
The story and related football news can also be discussed in greater depth on the Kooora forums.
