Leicester manager Ranieri wins Italian coaching award

Posted April 06, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Southampton at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) The Associated Press

ROME (AP) - With his club leading the English Premier League, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has won the Enzo Bearzot award for best Italian coach of the season.

Italian football federation president Carlo Tavecchio made the announcement Wednesday, calling Ranieri "a symbol of Italian excellence abroad."

After narrowly escaping relegation last season, Leicester has a seven-point lead in England and only needs 12 points from its final six games to be assured of its first top-flight title.

The 64-year-old Ranieri signed with Leicester before this season after having previously coached Fiorentina, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus, Roma, Inter Milan, Monaco and Greece's national team.

The award ceremony will be in Rome on May 9.

Previous winners were Cesare Prandelli (2011), Walter Mazzarri (2012), Vincenzo Montella (2013), Carlo Ancelotti (2014) and Massimiliano Allegri (2015).

A jury including Tavecchio and the directors of Italian sports media outlets selected the winner.

The award was founded in 2011 in honor of 1982 World Cup winning coach Bearzot, who died in 2010.

Leicesterâs Kasper Schmeichel is congratulated by Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri, right, after Leicester beat Southampton 1-0 during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Southampton at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) The Associated Press

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Southampton at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) The Associated Press

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri, center, congratulates his players after beating Southampton 1-0 during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Southampton at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) The Associated Press

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