Carlo Ancelotti etched his name in history books as he led Real Madrid to a thrilling 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium, securing his fifth Champions League title as a coach.
Nicknamed Carletto” in Italy and “Don Carlo” in Spain, the Italian won the much-coveted trophy twice as a player with AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 when it was still referred to as the European Cup.
However, his latest triumph on the 1st of June, 2024, saw him cement his status as the most successful manager in UEFA Champions League history, surpassing the previous record held by Liverpool’s Bob Paisley and Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane.
Ancelotti who first tasted UCK victory in 2002/03 when AC Milan defeated Juventus in a penalty shootout after a drab 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in Manchester did not have a stroll in the park with his Madrid side in the build-up to this season’s final at Wembley.
Although Madrid went unbeaten in the run-up to the final, the European giants had it tough against defending Champions Manchester City in the quarterfinals before edging Bayern Munich in a seven-goal double-leg thriller (4-3 on aggregate) to enter the final against Dortmund who had a better first half in the final before Madrid got the better of them in the second.
Don Carlo would have been smiling home with his sixth UCL trophy as a manager tonight but for the Istanbul miracle successfully orchestrated by Liverpool after the Rossoneri surrendered a 3-0 lead to Liverpool in the 2005 final.
A sweet revenge against the Reds in Athens saw Milan beat Liverpool 2-1 in 2007, earning Ancelotti his second UCL trophy as a coach. He went on to win three more with Los Blancos to become the undisputed king of the Champions League.
Find below all of Carlos Ancelotti’s Champions League triumphs both as a player and a coach:
As a Player (When the tournament was still referred to as the European Cup).
1989: AC Milan’s European Cup Glory
Ancelotti was an integral part of AC Milan’s squad that lifted the European Cup in 1989, playing alongside legends like Marco van Basten, Franco Baresi, and Paolo Maldini. He started in the final against Steaua Bucharest, helping Milan secure a 4-0 win. Two goals each from Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit gave the Rossoneri their third victory in the competition.
1990: Back-to-Back European Cup Wins
The following year, Ancelotti and AC Milan repeated their feat, winning the European Cup for the second consecutive time. He played a crucial role in the semifinal against Bayern Munich, scoring a vital goal in the second leg. Milan went on to defeat Benfica 1-0 in the final.
First Coach To Win The UCL Trophy Five Times
2003: AC Milan’s Champions League Triumph
Ancelotti’s first Champions League title as a coach came in 2003 with AC Milan. He masterminded a stunning comeback in the final against Juventus, overcoming a 1-0 deficit to win the trophy in a thrilling penalty shootout. Milan’s victory marked the first time a team had won the Champions League after being behind in the final.
2007: AC Milan’s Champions League Repeat
Four years later, Ancelotti led AC Milan to another Champions League title, defeating Liverpool 2-1 in the final. This victory marked his second Champions League win as a coach and Milan’s seventh European Cup/Champions League title.
2014: Real Madrid’s La Decima
Ancelotti made history with Real Madrid in 2014, winning the club’s coveted “La Decima” (tenth European Cup/Champions League title). He became the first manager to win the Champions League with two different teams, leading Real Madrid to a 4-1 victory over Atlético Madrid in the final.
2022: Real Madrid’s Fourteenth European Crown
Ancelotti led Real Madrid to their fourteenth European Cup/Champions League title in 2022, solidifying his reputation as a master tactician. He guided the team to a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the final, with Vinícius Júnior scoring the winning goal.
2024: Real Madrid’s Fifteenth European Crown
The latest triumph on June 1, 2024, marked Ancelotti’s fifth Champions League title as a coach and sixth overall, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest football managers of all time. Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final, with goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior.
Ancelotti’s record-breaking achievements have earned him a place among the all-time greats, and his continued success has left an indelible mark on the world of football.
