´We were a little disappointed´ – Flick wanted FIFA top prize to cap Bayern glory year

Hansi Flick admitted he was “a little disappointed” to miss out on The Best FIFA Men’s Coach award after Bayern Munich’s stunning run of trophy success.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp edged out Flick to take the award on Thursday, after leading the Reds to a first English league title in 30 years.

Flick, who took over in mid-season last term when Niko Kovac left a flagging Bayern, guided the German giants to a treble consisting of Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League titles.

Bayern’s achievements were reflected in Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski winning the top player award and Manuel Neuer being named best goalkeeper in the world.

Flick would have been proud to join them as a winner but said: “We always take this like sportsmen. ‘Kloppo’ for sure deserved this title as well with his staff. The same as my staff would have deserved it.”

Klopp admitted he had been surprised to pip his fellow German to the award, albeit grateful to secure another award, while Lewandowski said Bayern’s players regarded Flick as the pick of the nominees.

@lewy_official: “For us, Hansi is the best!”  pic.twitter.com/zSTLKOFqwB

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) December 18, 2020

Flick said: “Life goes on. Of course, we were a little disappointed last night, which is normal.

“If you get among the top three, you also want to win. We live in a society of performance, so we also would have liked to win.

“But everything goes on, we have new goals to attain. Now, this is closed. The team has attained exceptional results. With Manu [Neuer] and Robert, we have two of the best players.

“Robert as best footballer and Manu as best goalkeeper, and Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies in the world XI … Thiago [Alcantara] as well, although he is with Liverpool now unfortunately.

“So we can say that this has been an exceptional season for us.”