Prandelli collects coaching prize again

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli has been voted Serie A's best coach of 2006/07 by his colleagues in Coverciano today, collecting the Panchina d'Oro or Golden Bench award for the second season in succession.

The 50-year-old led the Viola to sixth place in Serie A last term, allowing his side to qualify for the UEFA Cup despite a 15-point deduction imposed due to the Calciopoli scandal that came to light in the summer of 2006.

"I want to thank everyone and dedicate this to Salvatore Garritano – a colleague who is going through a tough time," Prandelli said after accepting the honour from FIGC President Giancarlo Abete.

Prandelli has also had spells in charge of Atalanta, Lecce, Verona, Venezia, Parma and Roma, stepping down from the latter post before the start of the 2004/05 campaign for personal reasons.

The Panchina d'Argento, or Silver Bench, for the best coach in Serie B was awarded to Genoa's Gian Piero Gasperini, who led his side into the top flight last year.

Gasperini, who turned 50 last week, said: "I want to dedicate this prize to all my colleagues because we have a difficult job to do."

This year, for the first time, Serie C coaches were recognised for their achievements.

The Pagliari brothers triumphed with Dino guiding Ravenna out of Serie C1 and into the second divison, while Giovanni clinched the Serie C2 award for leading Foligno into the third tier of Italian football.

Source: UEFA