This morning, the “Manlio Scopigno” and “Felice Pulici” awards ceremony for the 33rd Scopigno Cup took place in the press room at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
In the presence of ASD Scopigno Cup president Fabrizio Formichetti and patroness Souaila Mia, all the stars of the 2024/25 Serie A and Serie B were reviewed by a technical jury that selected the winners in the various categories.
This year, the awards also crossed national borders, with the award going to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who distinguished himself both in the Premier League and in Europe, winning the Blues’ first Conference League title.
The event was hosted by Francesco Repice, the brilliant and iconic voice of Radio Rai 1, and Eleonora Rossi, who had the honor of calling the winners to the stage and recalling their achievements. Among them was former Inter Milan striker Jurgen Klinsmann, a World Cup winner with Germany in the final played at the Olimpico. He was the father of Cesena goalkeeper Jonathan, who received a lifetime achievement award. Paolo Di Canio, visibly delighted by this coveted recognition, also received the award. He thanked the jury, chaired by Dr. Gianni Letta, and the ASD Scopigno Cup.
There were also touching and meaningful moments, including the remembrance of Nicholas Graziani, the Scopigno Cup mascot, who passed away just over a year ago, and the award ceremony for the girls of Sport and Therapy and the students of the EPN, who in August were the protagonists of a captivating fashion show directed by Souaila Mia, the event’s patron.
Coaches Antonio Conte and Pippo Inzaghi, as well as Maresca, were absent, but they thanked the jury and organizers through video messages.
These are the awards:
‘MANLIO SCOPIGNO’ AWARDS
– Best Serie A Coach: Antonio CONTE (SSC Napoli);
– Best Serie B Coach: Filippo INZAGHI (SC Pisa);
– Best Italian Coach Abroad: Enzo MARESCA (FC Chelsea);
– Best Serie A Women’s Football Coach: Massimiliano CANZI (FC Juventus);
– Best Serie A Women’s Football Player: Cristiana GIRELLI (FC Juventus);
– Special Serie A Women’s Award: Alisha Lehamann (Como Women);
– Manager of the Year: Marco DI VAIO (FC Bologna) – Giampiero AUSILIO (FC Inter);
– Best Serie A Player: Mateo RETEGUI (Al-Qadisiyya, formerly of Atalanta) – Scott McTOMINAY (SSC Napoli);
– Best Serie B Player: Francesco Pio ESPOSITO (FC Inter, formerly of La Spezia);
– Best Youth Sector Director: Roberto SAMADEN (Atalanta Calcio) – Alberto DE ROSSI (AS Roma);
– Best Youth Sector Coach: Samir HANDANOVIC (FC Inter);
‘FELICE PULICI’ AWARDS
– Best Serie A Goalkeeper: Mile SVILAR (AS Roma);
– Best Serie B Goalkeeper: Jonathan KLINSMANN (FC Cesena);
– Best Serie C Goalkeeper: Alessandro PLIZZARI (Venezia Calcio, formerly of Pescara).
JOURNALISM AWARDS
– Best Pitchside Player: Maria Luisa Jacobelli (Dazn, Mediaset);
– Technical Commentators: Paolo Di Canio (Sky);
– Print Media Awards: Fabrizio Patania (Corriere dello Sport), Elisabetta Esposito (Gazzetta dello Sport);
– Radio Speakers: Giovanni Scaramuzzino (RadioRai), Paolo Pacchioni (Rtl 102.5);
– TV: Marco Lollobrigida (Rai), Pietro Pinelli (Mediaset)
. Lifetime Achievement Awards: Xavier Jacobelli (Tuttosport), Giancarlo Governi;
– Press Office: Roberto Coramusi (FIGC).
