Bavagnoli receives Coach of the Year award

Bavagnoli was voted the best coach of the year in women’s Serie A last season, after guiding the Giallorossi to fourth place in their first-ever campaign in the top-flight.

And she was flanked by other award winners on Monday, as she formally received her Panchina d’Oro (‘Golden Bench’) prize.

“Thank you to all my peers – receiving an award like this from them makes it extra special,” Bavagnoli said.

“Thanks also to my staff and my players; but especially to AS Roma, for having given me the chance to coach such a big club like this.

She added: “I’m honoured and proud and I would like to thank everyone – it’s an award that I want and feel like I should be sharing with everyone.”

The ceremony saw coaches from both the men’s and women’s game recognised alongside one another – Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini receiving the men’s Serie A award after his side’s performances last term.

“My generation, and the one that followed it, had to fight so many battles for women’s football – but for a few years now the Italian Football Federation have really invested in the movement, enabling the national team to reach the World Cup,” Bavagnoli added.

“I would like to thank the big professional clubs for their commitment and also the media; hopefully they will cover the game more and more to help the growth of our sport.”