Prandelli collects coaching prize again
Monday 4 February
Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli has been voted Serie A's best coach of 2006/07 by his colleagues, collecting the Panchina d'Oro or golden bench for the second season in succession.
Fiorentina success
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 summer 2006. Prandelli has also had spells in charge of Atalanta BC, US Lecce, Hellas-Verona FC, AC Venezia, Parma FC and AS Roma, stepping down from the latter post before the start of the 2004/05 campaign for personal reasons.
Gasperini prize
The Panchina d'Argento, or silver bench, for the best coach in Serie B was awarded to Genoa CFC's Gian Piero Gasperini, who led his side into the Italian top flight. Gasperini, who turned 50 on 26 January, said: "I want to dedicate this prize to all my colleagues because we have a difficult job to do."