Finally, we end the series with the ‘allenatori,’ the men in charge of the day to day and marathon that is 38 crucial rounds of calcio.
Here are the five best managers from this past season.
1. Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta) As unanimous as it gets, Atalanta ‘allenatore’ Gasperini takes the number 1 spot in this list. The 61-year old coach did not start the 18-19 season off as intended, failing to qualify for the UEFA Europa League group stages, but perhaps it was because his side were destined for more in the form of an historical Serie A campaign. Gasperini moulded a mixed group of both young and experienced talent, and turned them into UCL believers. Italy’s most potent offensive side with a league-leading 77 goals, an impressive run to the Coppa Italia final through Juventus and a third place finish means for the first time in their 112 years of existence, Gasperini and Atalanta will have a seat at European football’s big boy table next season. Fairytale ending.
2. Massimiliano Allegri (Juventus) Once again, Juventus entered the 18-19 Serie A season as title favorites under Max Allegri. Domestically speaking, the Bianconeri met their objective of an eight straight Scudetto, becoming the first team in the history of Europe’s top five leagues to pull off such a feat. Yes, they did fail to win the domestic double, and yes, they did not obtain the UCL title Ronaldo was brought in to secure. But, when the dust settles and we look back on Allegri’s five seasons in Turin, he will be held in high regard as one of the best to ever do it for the white and black.
3. Carlo Ancelotti (Napoli) Aurelio De Laurentiis brought in Carletto to take Napoli to the next level in Europe, and with the CV the eyebrow-raising manager possesses, few are better to do just that. In year one in the Ancelotti Era, the Partenopei finished comfortably second in the league behind Juventus by a wide margin, and did well in arguably the UCL’s toughest group despite failing to advance. Ancelotti built a solid foundation for next season by getting more players involved in the mix, having the complete trust of ADL to continue furthering the project and hopefully leave a winning legacy behind him in Naples when it’s all said and done.
4. Walter Mazzarri (Torino) Expectations were a bit mixed coming into the season for a Mazzarri-led Torino side. The club has always been a fringe contender for Europe, but always seemed to get stuck in no mans land that is mid-table. However, in 18-19, the former Napoli and Watford boss left his mark on the squad, propelling a defensively-solid Toro into the conversation for UCL qualification deep into early March and much of April. Finishing an impressive 7th and just 6 points from fourth place Inter, Mazzarri and Torino are headed in the right direction with a solid group of players. If chairman Urbano Cairo can keep the likes of Belotti, Izzo, Sirigu as pillars to build around, the Granata will be back and ready to push hard for a return to European football.
5. Leonardo Semplici (SPAL) Earning the slightest edge over Siniša Mihajlović who worked wonders to bring Bologna clear from relegation, the fifth spot goes to SPAL coach Leonardo Semplici. Leading an ambitious project beyond just barely staying afloat in the top flight, the Biancazzurri finished impressively 13th, never once flirting with the drop. Besides security for the second straight season, Semplici skippered his club to wins over Atalanta, Lazio, Juventus and a sweep of Roma, providing further evidence of a side willing to play their brand without fear. Inspiring seasons from Andrea Petagna, Manual Lazzari and Jasmin Kurtic means the Emilia-Romagna outfit are one to keep an eye on heading into the summer months.
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