Cinzia Zanotti one step away from Brescia: will she be the first female coach in Serie A?

Brescia, June 23, 2025 – It was a sudden bath of notoriety, clamor and confusion. And yet, Cinzia Zanotti is the history of our basketball. Bresciana di Chiari, 113 appearances in the national team, a deadly shooter also in the Milan jersey and since 2013 coach of the first Geas team, in the top division since 2015.

In fact, 20 years in Sesto San Giovani counting the youth teams, where Cecilia Zandalasini, a star of the Italian basketball team involved in Eurobasket at the Paladozza, also trained. In short, anything but the first to arrive. And only for her, once again, Mauro Ferrari , owner of Pallacanestro Brescia , is ready to write history. Entrusting a team that was vice-champion of Italy, among the men, to a special woman. That company that, for a long time, has had Graziella Bragaglia as president and symbol. An unexpected call, from what the news of these hours says.

“Obviously - explains Zanotti -, I can't comment at this time. I can only say that I'm flattered, the PalaLeonessa is an environment of great passion for the game, and the club is important. Mauro Ferrari has proven to be a visionary, I can only thank him”.

Have you ever thought about coaching a men's team before?

“No. It has never been my goal. It is the male technicians who, at a certain point in their careers, come to our movement. We women usually prefer to stay in our world”.

How do you experience these hours at the center of social commentary?

“Let's say that I immediately read a lot of things that I didn't like. Comments and points of view, even out of place, that I don't think are ever addressed to male colleagues. They talk and say everything, without even knowing the person and the coach. It's a peculiarity, unfortunately, of our country. In the meantime, the rest of the movement goes on, even in the NBA we have seen women enter the staffs of important franchises. As happened to Becky Hammon with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs”.

It's a special moment for national women's basketball with the national team making its mark at Eurobasket. Where are we at?

“I am happy that the girls are close to their goal. They are proving their value. There is everything to make a leap forward, at a global level as mentioned the climate has changed. In the United States there is great attention for the WNBA, they are an example and an opportunity for all of us. A fundamental driving force”.

And what will he answer in Brescia?

“I’m still making my assessments. I’m very happy at Geas, I’ve been here for a long time, I have a contract that’s also valid for next season, and I’ve already practically finished building the new team. I’ll take a few more hours to talk to all the components”.