Del Neri honoured by his peers
Monday, October 7, 2002
Article summary
AC Chievo Verona coach Luigi Del Neri has won the 'Golden Bench' award.
Article body
AC Chievo Verona coach Luigi Del Neri has won the 'Golden Bench' award, the prize given to the best Serie A and Serie B coach of the year, as voted by the coaches themselves.
Remarkable debut season
Del Neri took Chievo into Serie A for the first time in 2001 and after a remarkable debut season the small Verona club shocked the Italian football establishment by finishing fifth to qualify for the UEFA Cup. "My football is passion and my model has always been Arrigo Sacchi," Del Neri said on accepting the prize.
Historic result
Chievo lost 2-0 on aggregate in the first round of the UEFA Cup last week against former European Champion Clubs' Cup winners FK Crvena Zvezda, but just to take part in such an important competition was a historic result for Chievo. "I think that a coach should never sacrifice creativity," Del Neri continued. "Chievo proved that just with good ideas and enthusiasm a club can achieve great results. I want to dedicate this prize to my colleagues, to my players to my club and to my family."
Fascetti honour
Meanwhile veteran coach Eugenio Fascetti was awarded with a lifetime 'Golden Bench' award for his long and successful career with several Serie A and Serie B clubs.