Germany manager Joachim Low wins FIFA World Coach of the Year award after leading the team to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
Low received 36 percent of the votes while contenders Carlo Ancelotti garnered 22 percent and Diego Simeone 19 percent.
Joachim Löw received 36.23% of all votes. @MrAncelotti - 22.06%. @Simeone - 19.02%. #BallondOr http://t.co/gLJsHdz4D7
- FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 12, 2015
It was the first time Low had made the three-man shortlist. All three coaches had significant merit toward the prize.
Ancelotti guided Real Madrid to La Liga and European double titles last season, earning the Copa del Rey before taking the Champions League final over Atletico Madrid.
Simeone skippered his Atletico side to a La Liga title and Champions League final.
Low built Die Mannschaft into a global power over an eight-year span. Germany beat Argentina, 1-0 to win the final and put together a stunning 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the semifinal.
Colombia's James Rodriguez won the FIFA Puskas Award for 2014's best goal for his volley in the World Cup vs. Uruguay.