Allegri wins Panchina d’Oro prize for best Serie A Coach

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has added to his impressive list of accomplishments at the Bianconeri after being awarded the Panchina d’Oro for 2017, the annual prize awarded to the best Serie A coach.

In a season where he led Juve to their third consecutive domestic double (sixth straight Scudetto, third straight Coppa Italia triumph), he also took his side into the Champions League final for the second time in his three-year tenure.

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini came in second in the voting, with Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri in third place. This is Allegri’s third time winning the honour, bringing him level with former Juve managers Antonio Conte, Marcello Lippi and Fabio Capello.

Speaking after receiving the award, Allegri said -

“First of all I’d like to thank my players, who are giving me and the club extraordinary satisfaction. I dedicate this award to my staff, who allow me to be here today, but also to the club which allows me to sit on such a prestigious bench.”

He even threw a bit of shade at title-contenders Napoli who are giving Juve a run for the title this season.

“I wish good luck to all Coaches for the end of the season… Sarri a little bit less!

“It will be Juventus-Napoli until the end. We have three head-to-head games, with Napoli and home and with Roma and Inter away.”

Allegri knows the next month is going to prove extremely challenging.

“We have to approach the end of the season calmly, it will be a great experience.

“We have this [Champions League] Quarter-Final against Real Madrid and the Coppa Italia final, while we’re back in League action on Sunday against a Milan side that is doing good things.

“We need to be ready, we hope to get some players back and experience this season finale in the best way.”

Juve are back in action this coming weekend against his former side AC Milan, and he knows table positions will mean nothing.

“It’s always Juve-Milan, and since Gennaro Gattuso has been on the bench they’ve been getting excellent results.

“It will be a tough game but we have to try to win to stay top of the League, then we’ll prepare for Real.”