Carlo Ancelotti spoke about the person who became captain on Friday at Real Madrid in the preview of the match against Sevilla (Saturday at 18:30). All eyes are on him these days. Sergio Ramos and the Madrid coach did not hesitate to thank him for his time at the club: “Yes I’m here today for Sergio Ramos. If I hadn’t scored in the final I probably wouldn’t be here.” He is referring to La Décima, of course.
Yet there is a challenge behind the Italian. The journey that began in 1995 and made him the only coach to win five major European leagues.
The ‘hero’ of the tenth Champions League
When Zidane stepped away from the bench in 2021 after a season without a title, Raul Gonzalez would have been promoted from Castilla, just as Zizou did. But once again Florentino Perez announced Ancelotti’s return to the helm, defying the pundits and affirming him as the hero of La Décima.
Many will ask why winning that cup mattered so much. The answer is straightforward: Madrid had gone 12 years without European triumphs while Barcelona loomed in the distance, with Guardiola guiding the Blaugrana to countless titles. Until that moment, the club’s most memorable night was May 15, 2002, when Zidane, then a player on the touchline as a surrogate coach, delivered the famous volley that delivered Madrid its ninth Champions League crown.
That final in Lisbon marked the first time two teams from the same city clashed in a European final. The narrative continued until the 93rd minute, when the defining moment arrived and became known as the “ninety and Ramos” period in the capital. Real Madrid fell behind on a Godin corner, only to see Modric assist the co-captain who headed the equalizer into extra time, with a sequence featuring Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano.
Twelve years later Ancelotti returned to lift Madrid again. Yet life in Madrid means the hunt for titles is relentless, and his second stint ended with no immediate glory, prompting a departure from Valdebebas to seek new horizons.
The only league with Europe’s top five leagues
Ancelotti began his coaching career on the bench in 1995 with AC Reggiana, spent a year there before moving to the Italian second division, then Parma (1996-1998). His name soon drew attention as he took the helm at Juventus for nine years between 1998 and 2001, followed by a stint at Milan until 2009, during which he captured two Champions League titles (2003 and 2007) and became renowned for a diverse, dynamic style.
That early success paved the way for a brief spell in Chelsea, where he landed the Premier League crown in the 2009-2010 season. He then headed to Paris Saint-Germain (2011-2013), lifting Ligue 1 in his second year. Real Madrid soon came calling and a trove of trophies—from Copa del Rey to multiple European and domestic titles—awaited at the Spanish capital. The first stage delivered the Copa del Rey, Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup trophies.
In 2016, after a year away from the bench, he returned to Bayern Munich, where the project focused on reclaiming the Bundesliga crown in his first season (2016-2017). There was only one more league to conquer before finishing the sweep of Europe’s top five leagues. Fate then sent him back to Real Madrid, ready to spearhead a season remembered for remarkable comebacks in European competition and a campaign that the club would reminisce about for years to come, culminating in a 2021 triumph that echoed across the globe.
The path to that milestone made him the only coach to achieve five major European leagues. Then came a return to Real Madrid for another record-setting chapter, a season that reminded everyone why the club seeks excellence every year. The era also highlighted the role of Sergio Ramos and the enduring value of a manager who could adapt across eras.
Carlo Ancelotti’s full awards
Real Madrid’s coach has spent nearly three decades managing the world’s top clubs with a style that evolves over time. His trophy cabinet includes 25 titles: four Champions League trophies, three Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, five league titles across different countries, two Copa del Reys, one English Cup, one Italian Cup, and six Super Cups across Spain, England, Italy, and Germany.
Brazil is closer than ever
The Italian coach, now in his mid-sixties, has built a profile that seems ready to chase one final challenge: leading Brazil. The Canarinha, Brazil’s national team, waits as the Real Madrid contract nears its end this year. It remains an open secret, though publicly acknowledged as a possibility.
“This stage in Madrid could mark the end of my career. I will retire after the whites. Real Madrid is the pinnacle of football,” Ancelotti stated in August 2022. He did not disclose future plans, inviting readers to draw their own conclusions.
The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation had already hinted at guiding Brazil, with Copa America 2024 set to begin on June 20. In short, no one can predict what lies ahead for Ancelotti. Florentino Perez’s decision to bring him back remains a central talking point. Whatever the outcome for the Champions League and for Sergio Ramos, the value of the most successful European Cup coach and one of Real Madrid’s most enduring figures remains indelible.