Conte handed Panchina d’Oro prize

By Football Italia staff

Juventus’ Antonio Conte has won the Panchina d’Oro award as Serie A’s best Coach for 2011-12. Meanwhile, Zdenek Zeman netted the Serie B honour.

Conte was handed the Golden Bench prize on Monday by his fellow tacticians after leading an unbeaten Juventus side, who had finished seventh in Serie A before his arrival, to the Scudetto.

“I’m emotional,” the former midfielder stated at the ceremony at Coverciano. “This is a really sought after accolade.

“I thank those who voted for me and also those who didn’t. This is an important push for me to keep studying and getting better as a Coach.

“I also want to thank my players as us Coaches are nothing without them. Returning to Juventus was a dream come true for me.”

Meanwhile, recently sacked Roma boss Zeman was given the Panchina d’Argento – silver bench – for his efforts with promoted Pescara in the Second Division last term.

“I thank my colleagues, but a big thank you goes to the players and the club who allowed me to work to my beliefs,” he stated.

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