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Roberto Mancini, the former Internazionale boss, has been voted Serie A coach of the year for the 2007-08 campaign.

The 43-year-old tactician guided the Nerazzurri to a third straight Scudetto success last season before being dismissed in the summer and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

He succeeds Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli as holder of the prestigious Panchina D'Oro - or Golden Bench - award, which is decided by a poll of Serie A and B coaches.

"I want to thank all the coaches that have voted for me," said Mancini. "I also want to thank the Inter players, who made it possible."

Mancini has not returned to work since leaving the Giuseppe Meazza, although, with Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster currently under pressure, he has been linked with the Bernabeu hotseat.

Former Chievo coach Giuseppe Iachini came second in the vote after having guided the Verona outfit to promotion from Serie B.

Join eurosport.yahoo.com for LIVE text commentary and scoring on this weekend's Serie A action - on Saturday Inter welcome Juventus to the Giuseppe Meazza, while on Sunday Milan head to Turin to play Torino.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport