Former FC Internazionale Milano boss Roberto Mancini has been voted Serie A's best coach of 2007/08 by his colleagues, collecting the Panchina d'Oro or golden bench after leading the Nerazzurri to a third successive Scudetto.

Players thanked
Mancini, who was sacked in the summer and replaced by José Mourinho, succeeds ACF Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli, the winner of the two previous editions. "I thank the Inter players for the award," said Mancini, 43. "I only won it because of them." Giuseppe Iachini claimed the Panchina d'Argento (silver bench) as the best coach of the last Serie B season after guiding AC Chievo Verona to promotion, although he was recently fired with the Flying Donkeys grounded at the foot of the top-flight standings.