Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has picked up a prestigious coaching award in America.

Nicol was named Major League Soccer coach of the year for guiding the New England Revolution to the league championship final.

Nicol, who took over from Fernando Clavijo after the Revolution won only two of their first seven games, guided New England from last to first in the Eastern conference.

He then continued the team's run through the post-season and into Saturday's MLS Cup final where they will play the Los Angeles Galaxy for the title.

The award is voted on by MLS coaches, general managers, players and members of the Professional Soccer Reporters Association.

Nicol edged out Mike Jeffries of the Dallas Burn and Sigi Schmid of the Los Angeles Galaxy.