Golden bench, a plebiscite for Pioli. The Milan coach beats Nicola and Spalletti

FLORENCE. It won’t be like winning a Scudetto, but the first golden bench still gives Stefano Pioli a strong emotion. In “his” Florence, the Milan coach was awarded by fellow Serie A and Serie B coaches for the 2021/2022 season, thus winning the coveted trophy which over the years has been won by Allegri and Conte (both 4 times) as well as to Ancelotti, Mourinho, Spalletti or Mancini. «I’m excited – Pioli commented after receiving the 31st Golden Bench – and when I see what we’ve done again, the emotions are felt. Thanks to those who voted for me, I share this award with the special people who work in Milan, with the directors, with the staff and above all with my players. We have a special group again this year».

Pioli obtained 33 votes out of 46, practically a plebiscite, beating Davide Nicola (4 votes for the miracle of salvation with Salernitana) and Luciano Spalletti (3 votes for his first season in Naples). Colleague coaches were present in Coverciano as well as the blue coach Roberto Mancini and the world champion coach Lionel Scaloni, who gave a masterful lesson to the technicians present together with Fefè De Giorgi, coach of the world champion Italvolley. The silver bench 2021/2022, which rewards the best coach in Serie B, was won by Fabio Pecchia, architect of Cremonese’s promotion to Serie A with a single vote ahead of Marco Baroni (Lecce). For Serie C, however, Silvio Baldini won who brought Palermo back to B, while at the women’s level the prize went to Joe Montemurro, coach of Juventus Women.