Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has been chosen as the recipient of the 13th annual Bearzot award in recognition of his achievements with the Nerazzurri over the last 12 months.
The award is named after Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning coach Enzo Bearzot, and has been running every year since 2011.
The Bearzot award is decided upon by the ACLI Sports Union in partnership with the FIGC.
Previous winners include Carlo Ancelotti while in his first stint with Real Madrid in 2014, Massimiliano Allegri with Juventus in 2015, Claudio Ranieri during Leicester City’s Premier League-winning campaign in 2016, and Maurizio Sarri while with Napoli in 2017.
Last year’s award was handed to current Italy CT Luciano Spaletti in honour of his worth with Napoli, who were well on their way to winning their first Scudetto in over 30 years this time last year.
Inzaghi is the winner for 2024. Over the last 12 months, he has helped guide Inter to the Champions League final, defeating rivals Milan in the semi-finals last May, and has since delivered a 15-point advantage at the top of the Serie A table with 11 matches to go.
Representatives from the FIGC revealed that the decision to honour Inzaghi with the award
For 2024 was unanimous.
“It’s a great pleasure to meet here every year to present this special award,” FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said, reported via TMW.
“The decision to reward Simone Inzaghi was unanimous, because he has reached the full level of maturity, on and off the pitch, just as Bearzot would have liked. And, he is an extraordinary representative of the evolution of coaches from the so-called Italian school.
“Another thing about Inzaghi I would like to underline is his strong sense of belonging to the club he coaches, remaining for several seasons, cementing his relationship with staff, players and the fans.”
As per ANSA, Inzaghi will be given the award in-person at the CONI headquarters in Rome on April 22.