Soccer: Simone Inzaghi wins 2023-24 Golden Bench

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 24 - Inter Milan's scudetto winning manager Simone Inzaghi has been awarded the Golden Bench as the best coach for the 2023-24 season.
    The vote was given by 51 Serie A colleagues who gathered Monday at the Italy training camp and HQ in Coverciano for an annual refresher course.
    Some 26 votes were given to the Inter coach, followed by Atalanta's Giampiero Gasperini (14 votes) and Bologna's Vincenzo Italiano (4).
    The award has reached its 33rd edition.
    Acting as a teacher to his colleagues was former Juve, Milan, Bayern, Napoli, PSG and Everton manager and current Real Madrid coach and Champions League holder Carlo Ancelotti, who was also awarded the 'Special Golden Bench' as ;;was Gasperini for winning the Europa League with Atalanta.
    Fabio Pecchia was awarded the Silver Bench (Serie B) for the promotion obtained last season at the helm of Parma.
    "It is a great pride to receive this award at Coverciano where I have taken many courses, an honor to be voted by colleagues from whom you always try to learn", ex Lazio boss Inzaghi said when receiving the first Panchina d'oro of his career.
    "It is an award that has many dedications: to my collaborators who have helped me since the beginning - continued the Inter coach - to the management and owners with whom I have had the fortune of working, first at Lazio then at Inter, two great clubs.
    "I have always had a club that has supported me and backed me.
    And to my players with whom in these 4 years we have always tried to give our best. It is not easy to play so many games every year, but we have succeeded thanks to the players I have.
    Then a dedication to the family, my wife, my children, my parents: with this calendar I have been home very little in these years".
    The president of Lega A Ezio Maria Simonelli awarded Inzaghi.
    (ANSA).