Elena Sadiku nominated for 2026 Ballon d’Or Women’s Coach of the Year
Elena Sadiku has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Women’s Coach of the Year award after a remarkable time at Celtic and BK Häcken.
Sadiku made history at Celtic after taking charge in January 2024, guiding the club to its first-ever Scottish Women’s Premier League title. She also led Celtic through three Champions League qualifying rounds and into the competition’s group stage for the first time.
After leaving Celtic for BK Häcken, Sadiku continued her impressive run. In her first season at the Swedish club, she guided Häcken to the first UEFA Women’s Europa Cup and secured the club’s first European trophy. Häcken also won the Swedish championship during the season.
That success is what earned the 32-year-old a place among five nominees for the prestigious award, alongside Jonatan Giráldez, Andrée Jeglertz, Nils Nielsen and Pere Romeu.
The winner will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26.
