Nine-man commission to adjudge new UCL MVP award
UEFA will award a new man of the match (MVP) award from the Champions League Round of 16 onward with former players set to select the victors.
A new match-day trophy is set to be awarded by UEFA from the Round of 16 onward with the winner set to be the Champions League MVP (man of the match). The criteria for the award is based on a number of credentials: recognition of their roles in decisive moments, tactical maturity, creativity and inspiration, exceptional skill and fair play during the match.
Nine UEFA technical observers will be on hand to judge the award for this stage of the 2019-20 competition with three Spaniards forming part of the committee: Aitor Karanka, Ginés Meléndez and Roberto Martínez.
Aitor Karanka: Former Athletic Club and Real Madrid defender and recently involved in coaching in England.
Roberto Martínez: Current Belgian national team manager having previously worked as head coach with the likes of Swansea, Wigan and Everton.
Ginés Meléndez: Youth team coach who has overseeing the likes of the Spanish U-17 and U-19 sides.
Packie Bonner: Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper with more than 600 appearances for Glasgow Celtic (1978-98).
Cosmin Contra: Former AC Milan, Atlético and Romanian national team defender who coached the national side from 2017-19.
Robbie Keane: Most capped Republic of Ireland international (146 games) and top scorer for the 'Boys in Green' with 68 goals.
Phil Neville: Former Manchester United and England international. Current manager of England's 'Three Lionesses (England women's national side).
Willi Ruttensteiner: Current sporting director of the Israeli national side and with vast experience in coaching techniques in Austria.
Gareth Southgate: Current England national team head coach. Former player who enjoyed spells with Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.