Carlo Ancelotti has been one of many best and most profitable coaches throughout the final twenty years. The gamers which have performed beneath him can solely sing his praises. For a lot of of them, he’ll at all times be one in all a sort.
After a profitable enjoying profession, Carletto took his first position as a head coach in 1995 for Reggiana in Serie B. It solely took him one season to win promotion for the Maroons. He then coached Parma and Juventus, the place he received his first trophy within the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup.
5 league titles throughout Europe and 4 Champions Leagues have come Ancelotti’s approach as a part of the 25 trophies he’s received.
And whereas teaching a number of the finest golf equipment round Europe, the 63-year-old has had the privilege of overseeing a number of the best gamers in soccer historical past.
So right here on Ronaldo.com, we provide you with all of the 9 Ballon d’Or winners that Ancelotti has coached at one level in his profession.
Fabio Cannavaro – 1996 to 1998
Ancelotti coached Cannavaro throughout his spell at Parma between 1996 and 1998. He performed him 74 instances in protection, serving to the Crusaders end second within the 1996/97 Serie A marketing campaign.
Cannavaro finally turned a Ballon d’Or winner in 2006 because of main Italy to World Cup glory that 12 months. He additionally performed for Juventus and Actual Madrid throughout his spectacular profession.
“What I bear in mind essentially the most from Ancelotti is studying zonal marking,” stated Cannavaro in 2018.
“I used to be accustomed to solely monitoring the person, however with him, I discovered the suitable actions and posture.”
Zinedine Zidane – 1999 to 2001
The previous Actual Madrid supervisor was a formidable participant throughout his youth, profitable the World Cup amongst many different main honors. His performances received him the Ballon d’Or in 1998.
Zidane performed beneath Ancelotti at Juventus between February 1999 and June 2001, managing 11 objectives and 17 assists in 90 matches beneath Carletto. Their sole piece of silverware collectively was the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
12 years later Zidane turned Ancelotti’s assistant at Actual Madrid earlier than turning into the membership’s head coach himself in January 2016.
“Zidane modified every little thing as a result of I positioned the group round him,” Ancelotti stated on the Frenchman.
“I tailored the aspect for Zizou. He modified my type of soccer. I owe every little thing to him.”
Rivaldo – 2002 to 2003
Ancelotti and Rivaldo’s relationship wasn’t nice, because the Brazilian was left unimpressed by his lack of alternatives at AC Milan. He proved to be extra of an costly substitute than a starter.
Regardless of his unfavorable circumstances, Rivaldo nonetheless made 40 appearances. The midfielder struck eight objectives and 6 assists, serving to Milan win the 2002/03 Champions League title.
The 1999 Ballon d’Or winner quickly tore up his contract on the San Siro and returned to his native Brazil.
Andriy Shevchenko – 2001 to 2009 (two spells)
Shevchenko turned a world-class striker beneath Ancelotti throughout his time at AC Milan, scoring 103 objectives in 219 beneath the Italian. He even chipped in an extra 34 assists. This helped them win eight trophies collectively, together with two Champions League titles and the Serie A.
The Ukrainian striker’s performances had been sufficient to beat competitors from Deco and Ronaldinho for the 2004 Ballon d’Or.
He performed for Ancelotti’s Milan group between 2001 and 2009, in between an unsuccessful spell for Chelsea.
“He’s an individual in a position to take obligations, who talks with everybody, who listens to everybody, however on the finish he decides alone,” stated Shevchenko.
Ronaldo Nazario – 2007 to 2008
The 2-time Ballon d’Or winner’s profession suffered a collection of damage blows, which prevented him from reaching his true potential. Thus, Ronaldo’s story will at all times be one in all what might need been.
After swapping Actual Madrid for AC Milan in January 2007, Ronaldo spent the next six months enjoying beneath Carlo Ancelotti on the San Siro. Statistically talking, he did alright in Italy. The striker scored 9 objectives and added 5 assists.
Harm issues, nonetheless, restricted his appearances to simply 20 video games.
“He was a phenomenon,” stated Ancelotti on Ronaldo. “Even when he was injured or weighed 100kg, he was an absolute phenomenon.”
Ronaldinho – 2008 to 2009
Throughout his two-and-a-half-year spell at AC Milan, Ronaldinho performed for Ancelotti within the 2008/09 season. He offered 10 objectives and 6 assists in 36 video games throughout all competitions. Sadly, they received nothing again then.
Their relationship, in the meantime, turned fractious. Ronaldinho’s love for partying led to his decline, which left Ancelotti understandably pissed off.
Nonetheless, the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner revealed the respect he nonetheless retains for his outdated coach years later.
“With [Pep] Guardiola, Carlo is without doubt one of the best coaches on this planet,” stated Ronaldinho whereas discussing Ancelotti in 2017.
He added: “Carlo can also be primary for the power to create a real, robust relationship together with his gamers.”
Kaka – 2003 to 2009
Ancelotti helped develop Kaka right into a world-class expertise throughout their time collectively on the San Siro. The Brazilian was a formidable playmaker, chipping in 94 objectives and 84 assists in 270 video games.
Not solely did Kaka’s performances assist AC Milan win the Champions League title in 2007, however in addition they received the Ballon d’Or that 12 months.
“[He wasn’t] at Zinedine Zidane’s degree, however nearly. The second finest participant I’ve coached and positively essentially the most clever,” stated Ancelotti.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 2013 to 2015
Carletto loved an outstanding two years teaching the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. They received 4 trophies collectively at Actual Madrid, together with the well-known ‘La Decima’ within the 2014 Champions League title.
The previous AC Milan boss pushed Ronaldo out of his consolation zone by making him play as a center-forward as an alternative of a winger at instances. His new enjoying system, in truth, yielded some vital outcomes and was a breath of contemporary air from the Jose Mourinho period.
“He’s an unbelievable particular person,” stated Ronaldo.
“I simply want each participant might have a possibility to work with him as a result of he’s a incredible man, a incredible coach and I miss him loads as a result of we received many trophies collectively. And I want to work with him in the future once more.”
Ronaldo managed 112 objectives and 46 assists in 101 video games beneath Ancelotti.
Luka Modric – 2013 to 2015
Like Ronaldo, Modric loved a robust spell with Carlo Ancelotti at Actual Madrid.
The Croatian midfielder managed three objectives and 16 assists in 76 appearances for Ancelotti, serving to Los Blancos win 4 trophies. He received the Ballon d’Or himself in 2018.
“One title is particular to me, and that’s Luka Modric, each a incredible midfielder and a human,” stated Ancelotti.
