Atalanta's Gasperini gets Bearzot Prize
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini on Wednesday got the Bearzot Prize, a coaching award that rewards Bel Gioco like that of the 1982 World Cup winner Enzo Berazot and which has been sponsored since its inception 14 years ago by the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) and the US ACLI social and sporting association, CE Report quotes ANSA.
Gasperini, who led La Dea to Europa League glory last season, succeeds Serie A championships winning coach Simone Inzaghi as winner.
"For many years he has been synonymous with good play and results, never failing in seriousness of character, teaching vocation and sense of team.
All these characteristics that unite him with Enzo Bearzot", was the citation with which the jury, coordinated by Piercarlo Presutti, head of the sports editorial team of ANSA, nominated the Nerazzurri coach "in a plebiscitary way" as the winner of 2025.
The coach said he shares the prize "with the players, the staff, the club and all of Bergamo".
It comes after a real 'master-class' in the Lombard city, as Gasperini has been on the Atalanta bench for nine years, an experience that reached its peak last year with the historic victory in the Europa League.
"The continuity of results culminating with the historic intercontinental success and his extraordinary ability to enhance young people, for which all Italian football must thank him, are the main reasons for the choice of Gasperini - explained the president of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, during the announcement in a press conference in the Paolo Rossi room of the Federcalcio HQ.
"In particular, I appreciate his in-depth training, his almost maniacal dedication and his unshakeable tenacity.
He has matured through years of apprenticeship and has established himself only thanks to his work, and in this I see a nice similarity with Bearzot".
The award will be presented to the Nerazzurri coach on March 24th at the Salone d'Onore del Coni, the Italian Olympic Committee HQ in Rome, with state broadcaster RAI coverage planned..
