The IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics) has released it’s annual rankings and River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo has been named the fifth best club coach in world football. 2015 saw Gallardo guide River to the Copa Libertadores title, further enhancing his stock in what has been a relatively short managerial career to date and the organisation also honoured Lionel Messi with the award for best playmaker. The Argentina captain was joined in the top ten by Albiceleste teammate Javier Pastore.

Following Barcelona’s all-conquering 2015 few could have many complaints with Luis Enrique being named coach of the year by the IFFHS. With Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola in second, Juventus’ Massililiano Allegri in third and Unai Emery in fourth, Gallardo finds himself in good company.

Gallardo is destined for a move to Europe sooner rather than later and it came as little surprise to learn that French club Lyon had approached the 39-year-old recently over their vacant position. The Libertadores winning coach rejected the aproach and has vowed to remain with River for 2016 but El Muñeco can be expected to be taking over a european club in the not too distant future.

The IFFHS best managers top ten was as follows:

1 – Luis ENRIQUE (FC Barcelona/Spain) 165 points
2 – Josep GUARDIOLA (FC Bayern Munchen/Spain) 86 points
3 – Massililiano ALLEGRI (juventus FC/Italy) 43 points
4 – Unai EMERY (FC Sevilla/Spain) 39 points
5 – Marcello GALLARDO (CA River Plate/Argentina) 33 points
6 – Carlo ANCELOTTI (Real Madrid CF/Italy) 19 points
7 – Diego SIMEONE (Atletico de Madrid/Argentina) 12 points
8 – Dieter Hecking (V FL Wolfsburg/Germany) 6 points
9 – Laurent BLANC (Paris SG/France) 5 points
10- Miron MASKEVIC (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk/Ukraine)  4 points

Meanwhile, the playmaker of the year award went to Lionel Messi as he saw off the challenge of Barcelona teammate, Andres Iniesta to take the number one spot. Argentina and Paris St Germain midfielder Javier Pastore came in joint ninth with James Rodríguez.

1 – Lionel MESSI (Argentina / FC Barcelona) 168 points
2 – Andres INIESTA (Spain / FC Barcelona) 91 points
3 – Andrea PIRLO (Italy / Juventus FC / New York City FC) 54 points
4 – Eden HAZARD (Belgium / Chelsea FC) 22 points
Kevin DEBRUYNE (Belgium / VFL Wolfsburg/Manchester City FC) 22 points
6 – Yaya TOURE (Cote Ivoire / Manchester City FC) 13 points
7 – Toni KROOS (Germany / Real Madrid CF) 11 points
Luka MODRIC (Croatia / Real Madrid CF) 11 points
9 – James RODRIGUEZ (Colombia / Real Madrid CF) 10 points
Javier PASTORE (Argentina Paris SG) 10 points