On the outskirts of Florence, near the foot of the beautiful Fiesole hills, there is a regular assembly of several aspiring minds. Every year, these aspiring coaches get together at the Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano in the hope of passing their UEFA Pro License, or Il Master, as it is proudly known in these parts.

It is the highest certification one can receive here, and for Italians hoping to break into management in either of the country’s top two tiers, going through this rigorous, mind-testing process is mandatory. Many of the great names in Italian coaching history have walked through these halls, and when many of them left, they enjoyed unprecedented success.