Simone Inzaghi is the winner of the 33rd edition of the Panchina d'oro: the Inter coach was voted by colleagues as the best head coach last season, as he led the Nerazzurri to the 20th Scudetto in their history. This is the first award conferred to Inzaghi by the Settore Tecnico: "It's an honour to receive this award at Coverciano, where it all began", stated Inzaghi after receiving the award.

"Being voted for by my colleagues, who are a constant source of inspiration, is an honour: I always try to learn something from them to improve myself. I want to share this prize with lots of people, firstly my work colleagues, who support me a lot. I can't forget the directors and owners: I've been lucky enough to work for Inter and Lazio before, two great clubs and I have constantly received support from both clubs. I'd also like to thanks my players, because they've given their all in these four years and have tried to help me in difficult moments. Lastly, I would like to thank my family: I am not at home a lot with the nature of this work, but they know that I am always there", Inzaghi explained. 

ALBERTINI Demetrio Albertini, President of Settore Tecnico, opened the event by stating: “There's truly lots of you, you have become brilliant coaches. This is the perfect place to thank all that I have had the pleasure of having as coaches or teammates. Over the years, I have carried with me everything you have taught me, such as values and especially discipline. I want to pass on this sense of responsibility, because you do not just shape footballers, but men too. As the Settore Tecnico, we believe that good players are also good citizens". 

ANCELOTTI AND GASPERINI This year's edition brought the most successful coach in Champions League history to the stage at Coverciano as a lecturer: Carlo Ancelotti delivered a technical-tactical lecture to his colleagues before being honoured with a special Panchina d'oro for his win in the latest edition of Europe's top competition. This is Ancelotti's fourth official recognition from the Settore Tecnico, following his previous two Panchine d'oro awards and one special award. "It's an emotional moment for me, it's never happened to me as a coach. I've met former teammates, former players and colleagues. I assure you, preparing for a match is much easier than standing here in front of you," Ancelotti admitted. Another recipient of a recognition for his incredible international result from one year ago, was Gian Piero Gasperini, as he was conferred a Panchina d'oro speciale award for leading Atalanta to their first Europa League win. This award further enriches the personal trophy cabinet of the Atalanta coach, who previously won two Panchine d'oro (as Atalanta coach) and a Panchina d'argento (following the 2006/07 season with Genoa). "A result like this is not just down to the work of an individual coach, but of everyone, especially of a city. Having won in Europe for Bergamo was something amazing. The joy and celebrations of the community come to mind: it's been a brilliant journey. Our task is to win everyday, improving the players: it's an extraordinary profession which goes further than just awards and titles". 

PECCHIA AND PAGLIUCA It's not just about Serie A. Coaches from the Serie B and Serie C were also conferred awards at Coverciano. Former Parma coach, Fabio Pecchia received the Panchina d'argento award for the previous season, marking his second panchina d'argento after his achievement with Cremonese in the 2022/23 season. Pecchia stated: "I dedicate this prize to my players, to the directors that I had and my coaches. Two particularly stand out, Renzo Ulivieri and Gigi Simoni". The Panchina d'oro Serie C award was given to Guido Pagliuca (26 votes, first award for him), who guided Juve Stabia to Serie B promotion with matches to go. "I want to thank my colleagues, who I have learnt a lot from and who have pushed me to improve myself. I dedicate this to my players, who have allowed me to work in the best way possible, to my staff and family.", Pagliuca commented. 

The "Mino Favini" award went to the Sassuolo Sporting Director, Francesco Palmieri, after his club joined the Primavera 1 league. The Under 17 National Team Coach, Massimiliano Favo, joined the meet virtually from Croatia, where his side are playing in their European qualifying matches, to receive an appraisal from all present following his European title won last year. In the future, he will receive this award in person. Favo commented: "I'd like to share this award with lots of people: there are lots of people who deserve a part of this award, staff, scouting area and the Federation itself, who make sure everything is in order so that the players can wear this shirt with pride. I'd like to thank the Settore Tecnico who took care of our training and helped us to get to this point. This Panchina d'oro is the cherry on top of a journey and of a career, at an individual and collective level. 

The morning was opened with a lecture by Mauro Berruto; the ex-coach of the Italian Volleyball team who spoke about the principle of 'contamination' between different sporting disciplines, a concept highly valued by the Scuola Allenatori. After Velasco and De Giorgi - who spoke at previous Panchina d'oro events, another volleyball coach took centre stage. 

WOMEN'S  In terms of the women's movement, Alessandro Spugna was conferred the Panchina d'oro (the second of his career, after the one in 2022/23), as he was voted by colleagues following his achievements at Roma as they won the league and Coppa Italia. The Panchina d'argento remained in the capital, as it was won by Gianluca Grassadonia, who guided Lazio to Serie A promotion. Grassadonia and Spugna both recalled their memories of the ex-Ternana coach, Fabio Melillo, through a tribute video, following his recent passing. 

The prizes and votes in detail

PANCHINA D’ORO
Simone Inzaghi (Inter, 26 votes)
Giampiero Gasperini (Atalanta, 14 votes)
Vincenzo Italiano (Fiorentina, 4 votes)

PANCHINA D’ARGENTO
Fabio Pecchia (Parma, 24 votes)
Paolo Vanoli (Venezia, 12 votes)
Vincenzo Vivarini (Catanzaro, 4 votes)

PANCHINA D’ORO SERIE C
Guido Pagliuca (Juve Stabia, 26 votes)
Davide Possanzini (Mantova, 20 votes)
Mimmo Toscano (Cesena, 13 votes)

PANCHINA D’ORO - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL*
Alessandro Spugna (Roma, 12 votes 
Gianpiero Piovani (Sassuolo, 6 votes)
Rita Guarino (Inter, 1 vote)
Salvatore Mango (Sampdoria, 1 vote)
Davide Corti (AC Milan, 1 vote)
Joe Montemurro (Juventus, 1 vote)
De La Fuente (Fiorentina, 1 vote)

PANCHINA D’ARGENTO – WOMEN'S FOOTBALL*
Gianluca Grassadonia (Lazio, 10 votes)
Fabio Melillo (Ternana, 10)**
Michele Ardito (Freedom, 1)
Salvatore Colantuono (Parma, 1)
Fabio Ulderici (ChievoVerona, 1)

“MINO FAVINI” PRIZE – Best director in the youth sector*
Francesco Palmieri (Sassuolo, 8 votes)
Michele Sbravati (Genoa, 3)
Massimiliano Scaglia (Juventus, 3)

PANCHINA D’ORO MEN'S – FUTSAL***
Juan Ramon Calvo Rodriguez (Meta Catania)

PANCHINA D’ORO WOMEN'S – FUTSAL***
Gianluca Marzuoli (Bitonto)

PANCHINA D’ORO SPECIALE
Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)

PANCHINA D’ORO SPECIALE – FUTSAL***
Piero Gialli

PREMIO SPECIALE AIAC
Luigi Fresco (Virtus Verona)

*Votazioni avvenute on-line nei giorni scorsi

**A parità di voti ottenuti, la Panchina viene data all’allenatore che ha ottenuto una miglior media punti nella stagione in merito. In questo caso entrambi i tecnici hanno iniziato e concluso la stagione, con Grassadonia (Lazio) che ha totalizzato 79 punti e Melillo (Ternana) 76

***Votazioni e premio a cura della Divisione Calcio a 5