Definition of Panchina d'Oro (Golden Bench)

The Panchina d'Oro, or Golden Bench award, is given annually in Italian football by the Italian Football Coaches Association (Associazione Italiana Allenatori Calcio, AIAC). It recognizes the best Serie A coach of the season based on the votes of the coaches who have managed in Serie A and Serie B during the year.

The award was established in 1991 and since its inception, it has been awarded to some of the most prominent and successful coaches in Italian football. The voting process involves Serie A and B coaches, who vote for three colleagues they deem to have been the most adept in the previous season. They allocate three points to their first choice, two points to their second choice, and one point to their third choice.

The coach who accumulates the most points from their fellow professionals is awarded the Panchina d'Oro. This recognition is highly respected within Italian football as it reflects the professional judgment of one's peers, adding a significant layer of credibility and prestige to the accolade.

Coaches like Massimiliano Allegri, Antonio Conte, and Carlo Ancelotti, among others, have been recipients of this award. Winning the Panchina d'Oro is seen as an indication of a coach's tactical expertise, leadership ability, and overall success during the league season.