The South American Coach of the Year () is an annual association football award presented to the best coach of a club or national team in South America over the previous calendar year. The award has been presented by Uruguayan newspaper El País since 1986. The award goes to any coach/manager of a South American club or national team, regardless of the coaches' nationality. Argentine coaches have won the award the most, with 20 wins by 11 different coaches. With five awards, Argentine Carlos Bianchi is the most decorated awardee. The Colombia national team is the side that produced most winners, with 5 in total. The current winner for 2021 is the Portuguese Abel Ferreira, manager of Brazilian side Palmeiras, the first non-South American national to win it. Winners Wins by coach Wins by nationality Wins by team References General Specific External links South American Coach of the Year at RSSSF El Pais newspaper (Spanish) Coach South Awards by newspapers Awards established in 1986