Shortlisted Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has missed out on being named the world’s best coach at a glittering awards ceremony that crowned Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati as the top players.

Postecoglou, recognised for his achievements in his previous role at Scottish giants Celtic, lost out to overwhelming favourite Pep Guardiola at The Best FIFA Awards 2023 in London.

Guardiola guided Manchester City to a treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup triumphs last season.

Postecoglou was on a shortlist that also included Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, Luciano Spalletti – who took Napoli to the Serie A title – and Barcelona’s Xavi.

“I want to say thank you so much to our players, what they have done for this club for eight years already together. Without exception, all of them,” Guardiola said.

“Thanks so much for this incredible journey because they don’t know what it means every morning to go there and live with them, winning or losing it doesn’t matter – living with them has been incredible.”

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson narrowly missed out on the top award for women’s coach, with England boss Sarina Wiegman picking up the gong for the second successive year.

The Dutchwoman took England to the World Cup final in Australia, where they were beaten by Spain.

Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes was also on the shortlist along with Sweden’s Peter Gerhardsson, and Jonatan Giraldez  of Barcelona.

Seven of Wiegman’s England squad made it into the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World XI, while Matildas superstar Sam Kerr was also named.

“(The women’s game) is in the best place it has ever been,” Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze said at Monday’s awards ceremony.

“Really, the sky is the limit for women’s football.

“We are stood here representing the World XI, but there are hundreds of thousands of women out there playing football at the highest level making the game what it is today.”

The best women’s player award went to Spain’s World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati, making it a clean sweep for the 25-year-old playmaker.

Bonmati has also picked up the Ballon d’Or and UEFA’s best player award,  as well leading Spain to the World Cup and club side Barcelona to the Champions League title.

She won the award on Monday ahead of compatriot Jenni Hermoso and Real Madrid’s 18-year-old Colombia forward Linda Caicedo.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, now with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, won the best men’s player award once again: for the eight time in 15 years.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and French forward Kylian Mbappe were also shortlisted.

Source: AAP