Horst Steffen (Werder Bremen) and Hansi Flick (FC Barcelona) took second and third place respectively. Kicker has conducted voting for the ‘Footballer of the Year’ since 1960, ‘Women’s Footballer of the Year’ since 1996, and ‘Coach of the Year’ since 2002. 633 journalists took part in the voting for the 66th edition of the award, and the most votes went to Schuster for his excellent work in his first year as a Bundesliga head coach. The 40-year-old took over from long-serving SC coach Christian Streich at the start of the 2024/25 season, and secured Europa League qualification in his first year in charge.

Streich, who himself won the award in 2022, was among those who congratulated the current Freiburg boss: “Dear Julian: Congratulations to you, your incredible coaches and your whole team of wonderful staff. The fact that you have received such a special honour shows how brilliantly you and everyone else worked together in what was not an easy situation. Bravo!” said the 60-year-old.

“A representation of us all”

Like Streich, Schuster was also quick to extend his gratitude to the entire team upon receiving his award: “Individual accolades in football often represent the quality of the team’s performance. That’s what is really special about Freiburg. Perhaps more than at other clubs, togetherness is our mantra – the coaching staff, those behind-the-scenes, and the players themselves worked together seamlessly from the very first day. As a coach, it’s crucial that your team are willing to engage with you and follow your guidance. For that reason, I accept the award as a representation of us all.”

Former SC forward Nils Petersen also sung the head coach's praises: “When Christian Streich stepped down from his position at the end of the year, it seemed as though his shoes were impossible to fill, a task presumably too difficult for most people. But not for you, Julian. You stepped into his role with astonishing composure, with no interest in great dramatics. You delivered clear principles rather than empty promises and lived up to them right away, perhaps even outdoing yourself with your confidence, composure and consistency. That’s why you fit in perfectly on that Freiburg bench, personifying the tradition, charm and individuality of a Bollenhut in the Black Forest. Not to mention your occasional wink, never taking yourself or your football too seriously.”