The 31st edition of the Panchina d’Oro – Italian football’s coaching awards – took place today, with winners including Milan’s Stefano Pioli and Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni.
A number of awards are given out at the Panchina d’Oro, celebrating the work of coaches from Serie C to Serie A in both men’s and women’s football in Italy. Since 2018, awards are also given to the coaches of men’s and women’s Serie A five-a-side teams, highlighting the wealth of talent across the spectrum of Italian football.
The 31st edition of the Panchina d’Oro ceremony started out with a short lesson at Coverciano, given by Argentina coach Scaloni, who was given a special award by Roberto Mancini Demetrio Albertini and Renzo Ulivieri for winning the World Cup in Qatar.
Stefano Pioli won the Panchina d’Oro for best men’s Serie A coach, beating out second place Davide Nicola and third place Luciano Spalletti. The votes were not particularly close, with the Milan coach taking home 33 of the 46 available. Four votes were given to Nicola and three to Spalletti, who’ll likely win the award next year should Napoli win the Scudetto.
Speaking after receiving his award, Pioli thanked his staff at Milan and shared it with them.
“I’m thrilled, when I review what we did last year emotions are felt. I thank my colleagues and I want to share this award with the special people who work at Milanello, with the club, with my managers, with my staff who are the driving force behind my work and above all with my players.
“I always thought, and I still believe, that I coach a special group.”
Below are all the winners of the 31st Panchina d’Oro
- Special award: Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni
- Serie A five-a-side: Italservice’s Fulvio Colini and Falconara’s Massimiliano Neri
- Women’s Panchina d’Argento: Como’s Sebastian de La Fuente
- Women’s Panchina d’Oro: Juventus’ Joseph Montemurro
- Mino Favini Special Prize: Sassuolo’s Francesco Palmieri
- Serie C Panchina d’Oro: Palermo’s Silvio Baldini
- Serie B Panchina d’Argento: Cremonese’s Fabio Pecchia
- Serie A Panchina d’Oro: Milan’s Stefano Pioli