Fiorentina's Cesare Prandelli has won Italy's Golden Bench
award, given annually to the country's best club coach.
The award, based on the votes of fellow professionals, was
presented to Prandelli for the way he revived the fortunes of twice
Italian champions Fiorentina last season.
A special award was also presented to Italy's World Cup-winning
coach Marcello Lippi and the staff that accompanied him to
Germany.
Prandelli, 49, first took charge of a Serie A club at Lecce in
the 1997-1998 season. Spells at Venezia and Parma culminated last
July with his arrival at Fiorentina, who had narrowly escaped
relegation to Serie B at the end of the 2004-05 season.
Under Prandelli, Fiorentina were once again contenders for top
honours.
They finished fourth, but lost their place in the Champions
League after being found guilty of attempting to influence match
officials in the Serie A match-fixing scandal.
This season the club started with 15 points deducted, but have
already worked their way out of the relegation zone and are now
16th in the 20-team division.
(China Daily via Reuters?December 13, 2006)