Italian coaches Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti have both arrived for the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, which is being held in London on Monday evening.
Inzaghi and Spalletti make up two thirds of the finalists for the Best FIFA Mens’ coach award, the other being Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Barcelona’s Xavi and Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou were also included on the original five-man shortlist.
Spalletti enjoyed a marvellous calendar year in 2023, steadying the ship after an underwhelming start to the 2022-23 season, before leading Inter to the Champions League final for the first time in well over a decade.
The Nerazzurri currently find themselves five points clear of Juventus at the top of the Serie A table and also qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 again at the beginning of December.
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023, Simone Inzaghi candidato come miglior allenatore pic.twitter.com/SSR5tBaA3u
— Daniele Mari (@marifcinter) January 15, 2024
Spalletti, now CT of the Italy national team, cemented his place in Napoli history in 2023 by bringing the Serie A title back to Campania for the first time in 33 years.
Spalletti and Inzaghi are the only Italian representatives in any of the men’s and women’s categories for the 2023 awards.
Luciano Spalletti e Simone Inzaghi, gli unici italiani candidati al The Best FIFA 👏🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/nSHpdx7s2g
— GOAL Italia (@GoalItalia) January 15, 2024