Carlo Ancelotti Breaks Five-Decade Record to Become the G.O.A.T. of Spanish Coaches
The nickname summarizes the man who has played and coached soccer for five decades. He was called “Don Carlo” in Spain. The name that fits well for standing before you today is the man who stands above all coaches as “The Don” of Real Madrid coaches. Mr. Carlo Ancelotti, as a result of Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Pachuca of Mexico, captured the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and, with it, a record-shattering trophy, number 15 for the most decorated club in Spanish football. Real Madrid has had many great coaches, but Ancelotti surpassed the number two guy, Miguel Munoz, whose teams dominated the Spanish League in the 1960s and early 70s. The list of titles is long, with three Champions League, two in La Liga, two Spanish Copa del Reys, and Spanish Supercopas. He also claimed three UEFA Super Cups, two Club World Cups, and the Intercontinental Cup, which rounds out his Spanish resume. Plus, all of this was with a six-year absence from La Liga in between.
What did he do during his time away? A closer look at Ancelotti’s career, one will find that he is also the domestic Don of football. One glance at the trophy case shows the flags of elite clubs that won their league titles under him. AC Milan in Italy, Chelsea in England, Paris Saint-Germain in France, and Bayern Munich in Germany, along with Real Madrid, all found success with the once inflexible coach who once caused stars like Roberto Baggio to flee. All this from a man who, as a player, was considered creative as a midfielder using limited tools to progress to the door of upper-echelon players but the opposite as a coach, being stiff and predictable as he was married to his press-oriented four-four-two system to the detriment of all.
Carlo Ancelotti can point to the turnaround of his coaching career as learning to be flexible and fix systems to the talent, something he refused to do in his early years. It enhanced Zinedine Zidane's skills as a playmaker behind two attackers. He converted Alessandro Costacurta to a defensive left-back to solve a stacked competition problem in the back. He utilized Cafu of Brazil and his offensive capabilities from the defense as a flank attacker on the wing to support a weak midfield. He shuffled positional lines to give freedom to stars like Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo or Thiago of Brazil. He used a four-four-three formation to take advantage of the Argentine World Cup Champion Angel Di Maria's speed and ability to dribble to great use on the left end of central midfield. He has attracted 2018 World Cup Champion Kylian Mbappe to add his world-class skill set to an already talented core. This ability to "I think the methodology of football training has changed a lot in 20 years," Ancelotti explained, "It's a completely different sport. But what hasn't changed is my relationship with the players. That's the same."
These adjustments have spawned an attitude most evident in his current collection. In fact, Ancelotti has not been happier about winning a championship. “I’m very happy...It's a success,” Carlo explained after conquering Pachuca, “We have those differences of quality always, but we also have to show the right attitude. Today, in the end, I liked that.” It's a quality that has defined a career for a man who has made an imprint not just in Spain but in the “Big Five” leagues in Europe, with each bringing a unique set of challenges that has only added to the lore of Ancelotti.
No matter where he has gone, he has made those he coached better. Carlo studies, and he absorbs everything. He remains on the cutting edge while still relying on a foundation. He is also loyal to his players, and they respond in kind. A case in point is Vinicius, Jr. of Brazil, who, along with teammates Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham, learned that none of them would win the 2024 Ballon d'Or, which saw Rodri of Manchester City claim. Ancelotti, who was to receive an award that evening, chose to join the squad in boycotting the event. It did not go unnoticed. These moments serve as a glimpse into the man and why players want to do their best by him. Ancelotti will continue to add to his legacy if management does not muck it up. The man who also holds the record as Champions League Champion five times overall will continue, even at 65, to motivate and allow his players the creative choices to bring out their best, and in return, they bring trophy after trophy to "The G.O.A.T of Spanish coaching."
