Spanish managers are taking over the world. Why?

Four of the five managers nominated for the Men’s Coach of the Year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony last week hailed from Spain. So what is it about Spanish managers, particularly from the Basque region, which makes them such good leaders from the dugout? Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Barcelona correspondent Pol Ballus, Spanish editor Tomas Lopez Hill-Menchero and Spurs writer Jay Harris to assess the influx of Spanish managers across Europe, Pep Guardiola's influence and which current players are destined to become stellar coaches. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Pol Ballus, Tomas Lopez Hill-Menchero, Jay Harris Producers: Xavi Bird, Lara Sinclair Executive Producers: Max Curwen Bingley, Adam Jones Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 01:23 - Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel's tragic death and the reaction in Spain 05:03 - 49 goals this season for Barcelona. Where was it won and lost? 07:42 - Man United come back from 2-0 down to Roma 10:52 - Can anyone stop PSG? 12:12 - Why are there so many top Spanish managers? 19:50 - Is there a pattern between Spanish midfielder’s becoming managers? 23:08 - Which current Spanish players fit the profile for future managers? 24:03 - De la Fuente is a bit older than the rest. How does he compare? 27:14 - How has Spanish football evolved since Guardiola left Spain? 31:00 - Arteta, Alonso and Iraola grew up together. Is there something in the water? 37:09 - Why are none of Spain’s top five in La Liga coached by a Spaniard? 39:26 - Is Cesc Fabregas the most exciting Spanish prospect at the moment? 40:51 - Is the Premier League still attracting the best managers? 41:50 - Quickfire game 46:02 - Outro The Athletic FC Podcast is your essential guide to football's biggest stories, six times a week during the World Cup... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69AAB4o... Subscribe to The Athletic FC Podcast channel 👉 http://bit.ly/athleticuk | 🔔Make sure to enable all push notifications!🔔 Follow The Athletic FC Podcast: Instagram: @theathleticfc TikTok: athleticfcpod Photos: TOBY SHEPHEARD / Contributor FRANCK FIFE / Contributor Jeff Spicer - UEFA / Contributor Thumbnail: Carl Recine / Staff  / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images Dan Mullan / Staff Dan Mullan / Staff PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / Contributor / AFP   via Getty Images #ballondor #spainfootball