Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini on
Wednesday got the Bearzot Prize, a coaching award that rewards
Bel Gioco like that of the 1982 World Cup winner Enzo Berazot
and which has been sponsored since its inception 14 years ago by
the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) and the US ACLI social and
sporting association.
Gasperini, who led La Dea to Europa League glory last season,
succeeds Serie A championships winning coach Simone Inzaghi as
winner.
"For many years he has been synonymous with good play and
results, never failing in seriousness of character, teaching
vocation and sense of team. All these characteristics that unite
him with Enzo Bearzot", was the citation with which the jury,
coordinated by Piercarlo Presutti, head of the sports editorial
team of ANSA, nominated the Nerazzurri coach "in a plebiscitary
way" as the winner of 2025.
The coach said he shares the prize "with the players, the staff,
the club and all of Bergamo".
It comes after a real 'master-class' in the Lombard city, as
Gasperini has been on the Atalanta bench for nine years, an
experience that reached its peak last year with the historic
victory in the Europa League.
"The continuity of results culminating with the historic
intercontinental success and his extraordinary ability to
enhance young people, for which all Italian football must thank
him, are the main reasons for the choice of Gasperini -
explained the president of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, during
the announcement in a press conference in the Paolo Rossi room
of the Federcalcio HQ.
"In particular, I appreciate his in-depth training, his almost
maniacal dedication and his unshakeable tenacity. He has matured
through years of apprenticeship and has established himself only
thanks to his work, and in this I see a nice similarity with
Bearzot".
The award will be presented to the Nerazzurri coach on March
24th at the Salone d'Onore del Coni, the Italian Olympic
Committee HQ in Rome, with state broadcaster RAI coverage
planned..
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