More than an elite-level man manager, is Carlo Ancelotti football's greatest-ever coach?
A lot like during his illustrious playing career that was filled with silverware, Carlo Ancelotti has often faded into the background of his own coaching triumphs and let his players take the plaudits. Capturing his fifth Champions League with Real Madrid in 2024, though, finally appeared to have more in football considering his place amongst the greatest to have conducted from the sidelines of the world's most famous pitches.
While recent achievements with the Spanish giants would propel most into the greatest-ever conversation, the 65-year-old’s unparalleled success across Europe’s major leagues moves Carletto towards the top of the all-time list.
As a coach, Ancelotti has been crowned domestic champion in Italy's Serie A, France's Ligue 1, England's Premier League and Germany's Bundesliga, with AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, respectively, not forgetting a pair of Spain's La Liga trophies with Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti: The Champions League Master
An inability to secure back-to-back league titles or a prolonged domestic legacy with one club might have hindered his position in any legacy discussions, but Ancelotti’s relationship with the Champions League is legend enough.
Having secured AC Milan’s first win in almost a decade in 2003 and capturing another in 2007, even losing a three-goal advantage to lose the 2005 final in Istanbul to Liverpool strengthened his connection to the competition.
During his first spell with Real Madrid, the loveable Italian ended a 12-year drought, and their apparent La Decima curse, to capture the club’s 10th European Cup/Champions League in 2014, and laying the foundations for a hat-trick of triumphs under his assistant Zinedine Zidane starting in 2016. His meticulous preparation, tactical nous, and the ability to inspire players to peak at the right moments were all traits carried carried forward by his assistant.
The mastery of Europe’s most prestigious club competition by Don Carlo is a testament to his strategic brilliance and ability to perform under the highest pressure. That itself was key to a return to the Spanish capital where the trophy is revered above all others, and the decision to bring him back was rewarded with another two Champions League wins in 2022 and 2024.
More than just a player-centric approach
Beyond the medals, though, a cornerstone of Ancelotti’s greatness is exceptional man-management skills and an ability to build strong relationships with his players has been a foundation to his team’s success. The ex-Parma coach is renowned for a calm demeanor, that fosters a positive and cohesive team environment.
As a former elite midfielder himself, Ancelotti seems able to understand the individual needs and personalities of each of his players, allowing him to motivate and extract the best performances from them, with legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic having thrived under his guidance.
However, critics attempted to devalue early successes as merely having an elite group of players at his disposal and giving them the freedom to display their many talents. But tactical flexibility is something that also sets him apart from his peers, after breaking away from a rigid 4-4-2 structure used early in his career, that is.
Ancelotti is now far more chameleon-like, adapting his tactics to outsmart the opposition, align with the strengths of his team and the demands of the competition. Switching seamlessly between a variety of formations, yet maintaining a balance between solid defensive structures and fluid attacking play is a staple of his work.
How long could Ancelotti continue extending his legacy?
In an industry known for its volatility and short-termism, Ancelotti’s success and longevity are a testament to his adaptability and ability to thrive in a variety of diverse and ever-evolving footballing cultures and environments, at the helm of some of the world’s biggest clubs for over two decades.
An extraordinary career, characterised by tactical brilliance, Champions League dominance and exceptional man-management shows little sign of slowing down as Ancelotti enters his fourth decade and has possibly already set a benchmark for future generations of coaches.
Euro 2020 aside, the Italy Men’s National Team's tournament performances in the last 25 years have left a lot to be desired, and a perfect end to the career of a man who assisted coach Arrigo Sacchi in the 1994 World Cup final could be taking the Azzurri back to the top of the international game.
If not the greatest coach of all time by then, few could deny Ancelotti his place at the top table should that dream were to become a reality in the not-too-distant future.