Monday 11 January 2016 21:37, UK
US Women's National Team manager Jill Ellis has made history at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Awards by becoming the first British-born coach to scoop a Coach of the Year accolade.
Portsmouth-born Ellis was named FIFA Women's World Coach of the Year having guided the USA to 2015 Women's World Cup glory after they steamrollered 2011 winners Japan 5-2 in the final.
Ellis' father John is a former Royal Marines commando and football ambassador for the British government. He also served as head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national side before going on to become assistant manager of the US Women's National Team himself.
"It's tremendous honour and I'm of course very proud," Ellis said. "Both my parents have been incredibly supportive. My dad has been a footballer his entire life, and to have him here tonight is incredibly special."
Jill grew up in the village of Cowplain near Portsmouth before she moved to America with her family at the age of 14.
Ellis landed the Women's World Coach of the Year award ahead of Mark Sampson, who guided England to third place in the Women's World Cup, and Japan national team manager Norio Sasaki.
Carli Lloyd was named FIFA Women's World Player of the Year after captaining USA during their scuccesful 2015 Women's World Cup campaign.
The 33-year-old Houston Dash midfielder scored a 13-minute hat-trick in the final - including a spectacular lob from the halfway line - to finish as the tournament's joint top scorer alongside Germany's Celia Sasic with six goals.
Lloyd edged recently-retired Sasic, and Japan captain Aya Miyama to the award, presented in Zurich on Monday night.
"Your nerves are going, your heart's beating, when I heard my name called it was one of the best moments ever," Lloyd said.
"I think 2016 is going to be good. The expectations are really high of me right now, I need to continue to work hard and improve. All eyes are on Rio and qualifying.
Hands down Jill Ellis definitely deserved [her award]. Us winning the World Cup sealed the deal, she's a fantastic manager and coach."