The managerial performance of the 2013/14 season in Serie A surely must go to Rudi Garcia at Roma. After the extravagant unveiling of Luis Garcia and his promises of "Barca-Roma" in 2011/12 as well as last season's trip back into the wonderful world of "Zemanlandia" - both of which failed miserably - the Giallorossi faithful were treated to a far more modest appointment at the start of this campaign. Garcia's pedigree was solid if unspectacular. He'd only coached in France but had taken Lille to a league and cup double - their first major silverware in over half a century. However, no one could have predicted how he'd not only hit the ground running....but sprinting in the Italian capital. Roma recorded a new Serie A record of 10 straight wins to start the season. This was absolutely remarkable for a team that finished 6th in the previous campaign and had lost the Coppa Italia Final to arch-rivals Lazio. The club was in disarray and without direction but Garcia's calming and assured presence steadied the ship. That was no more so evident than in defence where the signing of Mehdi Benatia along with the growth of Leandro Castan provided the solid base that was so badly missing from last season's all out attacking tactics. 21 clean sheets were kept in total, just one shy of Juventus' tally and a new club record. However, Roma weren't all about being miserly at the back - the attacking flair remained. Francesco Totti rolled back the years and flourished in the "False 9" role that he had made famous in his heyday. Gervinho - who'd flattered to deceive at times during his spell at Arsenal - added excitement pace and trickery to the frontline as did another new recruit, Adem Ljajic. Kevin Strootman was another excellent purchase in midfield with his strong powerful runs complementing Miralem Pjanic's guile - the Bosnian looked rejuvenated under the new coach having endured huge frustration with the previous regimes. Mattia Destro also finally started to justify some of the hype that came with his price-tag a couple of years ago - finishing as the club's top scorer. Nevertheless, most of the credit must go to the manager who, in most other seasons, would have led this side to the title with 85 points - another new club record. A lull in the winter where Roma drew too many games allowed the Juventus juggernaut to pull away but it took a record breaking effort from the Old Lady to stop Garcia claiming his maiden Scudetto in his first season. It has still been fantastic progression for the club and they'll want to push on even further next season.
