Four games into the FIFA Women's World Cup, Jill Ellis found herself drawing no small amount of criticism. But three matches and one key tactical adjustment later, the United States national team coach was raising the trophy.

Now she can add FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football 2015 to her resume, with Ellis earning the award on Tuesday (AEDT) over England's Mark Sampson and Japan's Norio Sasaki during the Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich.

Ellis claimed the honour after leading the U.S. to its third FIFA Women's World Cup crown in July — its first since 1999. She drew plaudits for her mid-tournament line-up change that involved sitting iconic striker Abby Wambach and shifting Carli Lloyd higher up the field, with Lloyd going on to score five goals in three games after the move.

The World Cup win was the pinnacle of England-born Ellis's career with the U.S. Soccer Federation, for whom she has worked in various capacities since 2000. Ellis took over after interim coach in April 2014 after the firing of Australian Tom Sermanni, and was hired on a permanent basis a month later.

"To my players, the captains, my staff back in the U.S. right now, it is my sincere gratitude for your commitment and your effort and your belief in this team," Ellis said upon accepting the award. "I really, truly believe this is a team award."