Germany coach Joachim Low has been named Coach of the Year at the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich.
The 54-year-old guided his country to glory at the World Cup in Brazil last summer, beating Argentina after extra time in the final.
Low, who saw off competition for the award from Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone and Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti, took charge of the national team in 2006 following a two-year spell as assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann.
"It is the icing on the cake - the cake being the World Cup," he said. "I know this award is not just for me, I am taking it here on behalf of all those who have assisted.
"It's a consequence of many years of hard work. I'd like to say thank you to all of the German coaches who do so much with the young players every day.
"What would a coach be without a fantastic team? To all the other guys who are not here, my gratitude to you is eternal, you are world class. It is a gift to me to be able to work with you."
Low recently suggested that he could return to club football when his Germany contract expires in 2016.
Jack Prescott
