Conte and ex-Chelsea boss Maresca awarded by coaches in Italy

Antonio Conte collected the Panchina d’Oro award for the best Serie A coach in 2024-25, with Enzo Maresca picking up an accolade for his success at Chelsea.

The Panchina d’Oro award, organised by FIGC, took place in Florence today, Monday, February 2, 2026.

Coaches from all Italian football divisions voted Conte, the Serie A title winner in 2024-25 with Napoli, as the best Serie A coach for last season.

Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini, who was at Atalanta last term, finished second, while Como’s Cesc Fabregas ranked third.

“I receive this award with immense pleasure, because it comes from fellow coaches, who know what it takes to be a coach every day,” Conte said, as quoted by Gazzetta.

“I want to share this award with my footballers, the staff and everyone at Napoli.”

Former Chelsea coach Maresca received the ‘Panchina d’Oro Speciale’ for his achievements with the Blues last season, especially the victory in the Club World Cup.

“To represent the Italian school abroad is a big responsibility,” Maresca said.

“In Italy, the true value of the Italian coaching school is often underestimated, despite its deep and enduring importance.”

Former Cremonese coach Giovanni Stroppa won the Panchina d’Oro for the 2024-25 Serie B campaign, followed by Fabio Grosso of Sassuolo and Filippo Inzaghi of Pisa, now at Palermo.

Maresca left Chelsea on January 1, 2026, by mutual agreement, so the Italian tactician is currently without a club.

He’s coached Leicester and Chelsea in England and Parma in Italy’s Serie B, but the ex-midfielder hasn’t yet taken charge of a Serie A side.