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Football coaches: Head of the class 2008-09

  • Story Highlights
  • CNN's Football Fanzone lists ten top-performing coaches from the season
  • Josep Guardiola, who led Barcelona to three trophies, makes the list
  • Who do you think was the coach of the season? Make your vote
By Mike Steere
For CNN
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- It was a season of the usual highs and lows for football coaches across Europe and the world.

Guus Hiddink enjoyed a short-but-successful stay at Premier League club Chelsea

Guus Hiddink enjoyed a short-but-successful stay at Premier League club Chelsea

Numerous coaches were disposed of as results faltered and some entered into heated verbal tirades against their rivals.

Yet, despite all of this drama, a host of coaches from the leagues of England and Spain and in countries as far and wide as Japan, Egypt and Italy, rose far above the rest to prove their worth, and enjoy the unconditional support of their club faithful.

CNN sports anchor Pedro Pinto rates Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola as the best of the season.

Pinto told Football Fanzone: " It was a perfect season for the rookie coach who in his first campaign in professional management won an unprecedented treble - the Spanish League, Spanish Cup and Champions League.

"As impressive as the trophy haul was, it was also the way they achieved it -- playing free flowing attacking football during most of the season. They finished their league campaign with a +70 goal average and were also the top scorers in the Champions League."

But, there were plenty of other successes.

Alex Ferguson was again a major factor in another memorable season for Manchester United, while Jose Mourinho lifted Inter Milan to the "scudetto" in Italy to maintain a seven unbeaten, home league record. In Egypt, Al-Ahly were driven to a final victory before Manuel Jose quits the club, and in Brazil Corinthians continued their resurgence under Mano Menezes.

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Photo View our gallery of the season's top 10 coaches »

Once you have had a look through our list of ten coaches who met and exceeded expectations in the 2008-09 season, then tell us who your coach of the season was in the Sound Off box below.

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