The Maestro of Man-Management: Unpacking Carlo Ancelotti's Secrets to Success

The Maestro of Man-Management: Unpacking Carlo Ancelotti’s Secrets to Success 

Carlo Ancelotti started his managerial career with Reggiana in 1995. He had just retired as a player and was offered the position of head coach at the club. He led Reggiana to a 10th-place finish in Serie A in his first season in charge, which was a respectable achievement for a club of their size. 

In his second season at Reggiana, Ancelotti faced a much tougher challenge as the team struggled with injuries and lack of depth. Despite the difficulties, Ancelotti managed to keep the team in Serie A for another season before he was poached by Parma in 1996. 

Parma 

At Parma, Ancelotti inherited a strong team that had just won the UEFA Cup under the guidance of Nevio Scala. Ancelotti built on the success of his predecessor and led Parma to their second UEFA Cup triumph in 1999, beating Marseille in the final. 

Ancelotti’s Parma side was known for their attacking flair and technical ability. They had a strong defense anchored by Lilian Thuram and Fabio Cannavaro, while the likes of Hernan Crespo and Gianfranco Zola provided the attacking threat. Under Ancelotti, Parma finished in the top six of Serie A for three consecutive seasons and also reached the Coppa Italia final in 1999. 

Juventus 

In 1999, Ancelotti was appointed as the head coach of Juventus, one of the most successful teams in Serie A history. Despite inheriting a talented squad that included the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero, Ancelotti struggled to adapt to the pressure and high expectations at the club. He was sacked after just one season, finishing second in the league and reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. 

AC Milan 

He was appointed as the coach of Milan in 2001, taking over from Fatih Terim. During the 2001-02 season, Ancelotti guided Milan to a fourth-place finish in Serie A, securing their qualification for the Champions League. The team also had a successful run in the UEFA Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their history, but ultimately fell short against Borussia Dortmund 4-0. Milan also made it to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia but were knocked out by Juventus. 

In 02/03 season AC Milan had a highly successful season, winning both the UEFA Champions League and the Coppa Italia. Milan secured their 6th Champions League title by defeating their Italian rivals Juventus in the final, with the game ultimately being decided by penalties after a goalless draw. In the Coppa Italia, Milan emerged victorious over Roma. 

Although Milan topped the Serie A table in January, they were unable to maintain their lead and eventually finished third behind Juventus and Inter Milan. Unfortunately, this meant that they missed out on the opportunity to complete a treble of trophies that season. Nonetheless, their success in both the Champions League and Coppa Italia made it a memorable season for the club and their fans. 

During the 2003-04 season, they clinched their first Serie A title since the 1998-99 season. This was a remarkable achievement for Milan, as they demonstrated their ability to perform consistently throughout the entire season. 

Despite Roma scoring more goals and conceding fewer than Milan, the latter’s effectiveness in close matches enabled them to win the league title by a comfortable 11-point margin. Milan secured the title in a match against Roma, with Andriy Shevchenko scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory. 

However, Milan were unable to defend their Champions League title that season. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals, losing 4-0 to Deportivo La Coruña in the second leg after winning the first leg 4-1 at home. 

One of the standout players for Milan that season was Brazilian attacking midfielder Kaka. Despite being a newcomer to Italian football, he quickly established himself as a key player for Milan and played a significant role in their success. 

In the 2004-05 season, AC Milan won the Supercoppa Italiana but finished second in Serie A, losing to Juventus by just three points. In the Champions League, they comfortably topped their group and defeated Manchester United, Inter, and PSV Eindhoven to reach the final against Liverpool. Despite scoring three goals in the first half, Liverpool made an incredible comeback to force the match into extra time and eventually win on penalties. Ancelotti mainly used a 4-4-2 diamond formation with four top-quality strikers available. However, he occasionally used formations with three center-backs and two wingbacks. 

The 2005-06 season, AC Milan had a comparatively average season before being involved in the 2006 Italian football scandal, which led to a penalty and a drop in the 2006 order. They were later reinstated to fourth place, allowing them to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, which they went on to win. However, they started the 2006-07 Serie A season with an eight-point deduction. Milan was not able to compete with Juventus for the league title and lost to Barcelona in the Champions League. They sold Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea for €40 million following the season, which was the highest fee paid for a player turning 30 in the same year. 

2006-07 season, Milan faced an eight-point deduction in Serie A due to their involvement in the Calciopoli scandal. They had a poor start to the season and failed to win for nine straight matches, leaving them in 15th place. However, they managed to recover and finished fourth in Serie A, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Milan won the Champions League that season, defeating Celtic, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Liverpool in the final. Kaka was in top form during the Champions League, scoring 10 goals in 12 matches and winning the Champions League Golden Boot. 

During the 2007-08 season, AC Milan played its 74th Serie A season, finishing fifth and failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. They also competed in the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Champions League, but were knocked out in the round of 16 in both competitions. Despite this, Milan won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, as winners of the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League. 

Ancelotti’s final season at Milan, the club finished in third place in Serie A, behind Juventus and Inter Milan, securing a spot in the next season’s Champions League. They were knocked out in the round of 32 of the UEFA Cup and the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia. Despite denying earlier rumors, Ancelotti announced his resignation from Milan shortly after their 2-0 victory over Fiorentina in the final match of the season. Ancelotti had been in charge of Milan for a total of 423 games. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s style of play at AC Milan was characterized by a balance between defense and attack, and a focus on controlling the midfield. 

Ancelotti’s teams were known for their tactical flexibility, and he often employed a 4-3-2-1 formation (Christmas tree) that allowed his players to switch between attacking and defending seamlessly. The team’s defence was organized and disciplined, with a strong emphasis on pressing and counter-attacking. 

In midfield, Ancelotti relied on players who were technically gifted and able to control the tempo of the game. The likes of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, and Gennaro Gattuso were all key components of his midfield, with Pirlo in particular standing out for his playmaking ability. 

In attack, Ancelotti’s Milan teams were often led by a lone striker, with the likes of Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko excelling in the role. However, he also utilized attacking midfielders such as Kaka and Rui Costa, who were able to support the striker and create chances for themselves and their teammates. 

Chelsea 

Carlo Ancelotti’s first season 09–10 as Chelsea manager was the most successful in the club’s history. The team won the Premier League for a third time and retained the FA Cup for the first time, becoming only the seventh English club to achieve the “Double”. They were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Inter Milan 

The season is also notable for Chelsea’s attacking style of play, which saw them break several Premier League records, including most goals scored in a season (103) and most goals scored at home in a season (68), as well as achieving the best goal difference in a season (+71). They became the first top-flight team to score 100 league goals since Tottenham Hotspur in 1962/63, and only failed to score in two of their 53 games, setting a new club record. As of 2022, Chelsea still holds the Premier League record for most goals scored at home in a single season. 

Carlo Ancelotti final season 2010-11 season, Chelsea FC failed to retain their Premier League title and finished second behind Manchester United. Managed by Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea started the season with five consecutive wins before losing to Manchester City. They won 21 games, drew 8 and lost 9, conceding the fewest goals in the league along with Manchester City. In January 2011, Chelsea broke their transfer record by buying Fernando Torres from Liverpool for £50 million and also signed defender David Luiz from Benfica. Ancelotti was sacked at the end of the season. 

After finishing second in the 2010-11 Premier League season, Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed by Chelsea less than two hours after their last match against Everton on 22 May 2011. He received a severance payment of £6 million and finished with a record of 67 wins, 20 draws and 22 losses in 109 matches. Ancelotti’s win percentage at Chelsea was the third-highest in Premier League history, behind only José Mourinho and Alex Ferguson. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s style of play at Chelsea was largely based on a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with an emphasis on quick, counter-attacking football. He also placed a strong focus on possession-based football, with his team often dominating the midfield and controlling the tempo of the game. 

One of the hallmarks of Ancelotti’s Chelsea team was their attacking prowess, with the Italian manager often deploying two strikers up front and encouraging his team to take risks in the final third. He also placed a strong emphasis on teamwork and discipline, with each player expected to fulfill their role and contribute to the overall success of the team. 

Despite his focus on attacking play, Ancelotti was also a pragmatic manager who was not afraid to adjust his tactics based on the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents. This adaptability helped him to achieve success with Chelsea, with the club winning the Premier League title and the FA Cup in his first season in charge. 

PSG 

Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as the manager of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on December 30, 2011, taking over from Antoine Kombouaré. His first season at PSG was successful, as the team finished the 2011-12 Ligue 1 season as runners-up, their highest league finish since winning the title in 1994. Ancelotti’s second season was even better, as PSG won their first Ligue 1 title since 1994, finishing the season with a nine-point lead over second-placed Marseille. 

In his time at PSG, Ancelotti brought in several high-profile players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, David Beckham and Ezequiel Lavezzi, who helped the team achieve success both domestically and in Europe. However, despite winning the Ligue 1 title, Ancelotti’s time at PSG was marred by the team’s struggles in the UEFA Champions League, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals in both of his seasons in charge. 

On May 19, 2013, Ancelotti announced that he would be leaving PSG at the end of the season, citing personal reasons for his departure. He finished his time at the club with a record of 49 wins, 16 draws, and 14 losses in all competitions. 

During his time at PSG, Ancelotti deployed a 4-4-2 formation with a double pivot in midfield. He emphasized positional play and quick transitions, with an emphasis on counterattacking football. Ancelotti also valued ball retention and attacking down the flanks, with his team frequently attempting to overload the opposition’s defense on the wings. PSG’s attacking style under Ancelotti was characterized by a reliance on individual brilliance and creative playmaking, with players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Javier Pastore playing key roles in the team’s attacking output. Defensively, Ancelotti’s PSG sides were organized and disciplined, with the double pivot in midfield providing a solid foundation for the back line. Overall, Ancelotti’s PSG teams were known for their attacking flair and ability to dominate possession, while also remaining defensively sound. 

Real Madrid 

Carlo Ancelotti’s first season as manager of Real Madrid 2013–14, the team competed in all three major competitions with aspirations of winning the treble. Despite leading the league standings at various points in the season, Real Madrid ultimately finished in third place, level on points with Barcelona and behind Atlético Madrid by three points. The team’s most significant signing of the summer transfer window was Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for a record-breaking €100 million fee. Real Madrid secured the Copa del Rey in April, defeating rivals Barcelona, with Bale scoring the winner. Real’s breakthrough came in the UEFA Champions League, where they made it to the final after 12 years, defeating defending champions Bayern Munich 5–0 on aggregate in the semi-finals before winning against Atlético Madrid 4–1 a.e.t. in the final. They became the first team to win ten European Cups/Champions League titles, an achievement known as “La Décima“. The attacking trio of Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo, known as the BBC, scored a total of 97 goals during the season. 

Following a sluggish start to the season 2014–15, Real Madrid managed to set a new Spanish record by winning 22 matches in a row, including victories over Liverpool and Barcelona. This remarkable feat surpassed the previous record of 18 consecutive wins set by Barcelona in the 2005-06 season under Frank Rijkaard. In December, the club won its first-ever Club World Cup, defeating San Lorenzo 2-0 in the final. However, their winning streak ended in January 2015 with a loss to Valencia, which left them two wins short of equalling the world record of 24 consecutive wins. Despite being in the race for both the La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles until the end, the club ultimately fell short, finishing the season with 92 points in the league, two points behind treble-winning Barcelona and losing to Juventus 2-3 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-finals. Despite their attractive attacking football and being Europe’s highest-scoring team with 118 league goals, Real Madrid only won two out of six possible trophies. This led to Carlo Ancelotti’s dismissal. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s first spell at Real Madrid (2013-2015) was characterized by a focus on attacking football and possession-based play. He implemented a 4-3-3 formation with a strong emphasis on building play from the back and maintaining possession of the ball. Ancelotti relied heavily on the attacking trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema, who formed one of the most formidable frontlines in football at the world 

Bayern Munich 

In Carlo Ancelotti’s first season as Bayern Munich manager, the team won the Bundesliga title for the fifth consecutive season with three matches to spare, securing their 27th Bundesliga title overall. They also reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they were eliminated by Real Madrid, Ancelotti’s former team. Bayern Munich also reached the DFB-Pokal semifinals but were defeated by Borussia Dortmund. Ancelotti’s style of play was criticized by some fans and pundits, who felt that it was too defensive and lacked the high-pressing intensity that the team had displayed under his predecessor, Pep Guardiola. Nevertheless, Bayern Munich finished the season with a record of 25 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses in the Bundesliga. 

Ancelotti’s second season and final season at Bayern Munich, the club got off to a strong start by winning the German Super Cup and their opening match of the Bundesliga. However, they suffered a surprising 0-2 loss to Hoffenheim in their third league match, which was followed by a 0-3 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Despite some impressive performances and results, such as a 3-1 win against Borussia Dortmund in the league, the team struggled to maintain consistency throughout the season. 

In April 2018, following a 1-2 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, Ancelotti was dismissed by Bayern Munich. He left the club with a record of 68 wins, 11 draws, and 17 losses in 96 matches across all competitions. While Ancelotti’s time at Bayern Munich was not as successful as his previous stints at other clubs, he did manage to win the Bundesliga title in his first season. 

During his time at Bayern Munich, Carlo Ancelotti implemented a possession-based style of play with a focus on quick transitions from defence to attack. The team relied heavily on the individual talents of its attacking players, such as Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, and Robert Lewandowski. Ancelotti also experimented with a back three system at times, giving his team greater attacking freedom. However, Bayern’s style of play was criticized by some for being too conservative and lacking in intensity compared to the high-pressing, aggressive style favored by the team’s previous manager, Pep Guardiola. 

Napoli 

Carlo Ancelotti became the manager of Napoli in May 2018. He inherited a team that had finished second in Serie A the previous season, but had failed to win the league for the seventh consecutive year. In his first season at Napoli, Ancelotti led the team to a second-place finish in Serie A, securing a Champions League spot for the following season. Napoli also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League but were eliminated by Arsenal. 

During his second season, Ancelotti was sacked in December 2019 after a poor run of results, including a 1-1 draw against Salzburg in the Champions League and a 2-1 defeat to Bologna in Serie A. At the time of his dismissal, Napoli was in seventh place in the league, 17 points behind leaders Inter Milan. Overall, Ancelotti had a win percentage of 54.4% during his tenure at Napoli, winning 39 out of 72 matches in all competitions. 

During Ancelotti’s time at Napoli, he preferred a 4-4-2 formation, which could sometimes morph into a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 depending on the situation. The team was known for its fluid attacking play, with an emphasis on quick, one-touch passing and attacking down the wings. Napoli also played a high-pressing game, with a focus on winning the ball back quickly and creating counter-attacking opportunities. Defensively, Ancelotti’s Napoli were organized and compact, with an emphasis on pressing in midfield and limiting space for opponents to play through. Ancelotti was praised for adapting his tactics to suit the strengths of his players, and for his ability to make effective substitutions to change the course of a game. 

Everton 

Carlo Ancelotti became the manager of Everton in December 2019, replacing Marco Silva. In his first half-season with the club, he led them to a 12th place finish in the Premier League. 

In the 2020-2021 season, Ancelotti brought in several new players, including James Rodriguez, Allan, and Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Everton got off to a strong start. They briefly topped the Premier League table in September 2020, but ultimately finished the season in 10th place. 

As Everton manager, Ancelotti has implemented a more possession-based style of play, focusing on controlling the midfield and building up play from the back. He often sets his team up in a 4-4-2 formation, with a deep-lying playmaker dictating the tempo of the game and two forwards looking to exploit spaces behind the opposition defense. Ancelotti places a lot of emphasis on defensive organization and pressing high up the pitch to win the ball back quickly. Overall, his style at Everton is characterized by a balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity. 

Real Madrid 2nd spell 

Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid 2021–22 and led the team to win La Liga and the Supercopa de España, becoming the first manager in the club’s history to win all six available top-tier major trophies. In the Champions League, Real Madrid had a memorable run, defeating Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester City before facing Liverpool in the final. A lone goal by Vinícius secured Real Madrid’s 14th European Cup, making Ancelotti the most successful manager in the competition’s history with four Champions League titles. This was also Real Madrid’s fourth ever European double. However, the team played without former captain Sergio Ramos and Frenchman Raphaël Varane, who left in the same transfer window. 

With both Varane and Ramos leaving people was saying they would have no chance in winning anything this season, oh how wrong they were. Their Champions league run was amazing, they topped their group winning 5 and losing 1, that lost was to an unknown Sheriff Tiraspol, the group consists of Sheriff, Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk. They progress into the last 16 where they met PSG, who had the likes of Neymar, Mbappe, Hakimi and of course Messi, the media had Real Madrid losing this match up. First leg at the Parc des Princes, PSG dominated possession and shots on target 8-0, but PSG didn’t take their chances and the end of first leg is 1-0 to PSG. 2ng leg at Bernabeu, PSG got off to a great start Mbappe scored at 39 mins, about the 60 mins Ancelotti made 2 subs Koos for Camavinga & Asensio for Rodrygo. Next thing you know Benzema scores a hat-trick and they go thru to the Quarter-finals. They draw Chelsea who are the reigning champions of Europe. First game was at Stamford Bridge, Real Madrid won 3- 1, Benzema scores a hat-trick again, 2nd leg Chelsea came flying out scored 3 in a row to make the game 4-3 to Chelsea about 72 mins. This stage real madrid is looking like they are going to lose and go out of the competition. Two late goals from Rodrygo & Benzema puts them thru to the semis. Real Madrid face Man City the champions of England. It as a crazy 1st leg that ended 4-3 to Man City, 2nd leg Man City was very cautious in the game, it was until 73 mins when Mahrez to make it 5-3 overall, this makes it almost impossible for Real Madrid to win the game, Camavinga  replaced Asensio for Casemiro was the subs at 75mins. The 90 & 91 Rodrygo scores both goals to make it 5-5 to take it to extra time. On the 95mins Real Madrid gets a penalty, steps up Benzema cool as you like slots it in the back of the net. They are into the final to meet Liverpool. This was a very cagey game, Liverpool had alittle more possession with 54%, had 9 shots on target compare to Real Madrid 2, final score was 1-0 to Real Madrid. 

Its insane that in most if not all the knockout games they were either losing the 1st leg or getting dominated in the possession stats. 2nd leg is where they come alive, maybe its to do with Bernabeu atmosphere, where the crowds knows its their cup, they own the Champions League, when they are losing they don’t lose their head and start chasing every ball, Benzema would control when the team presses and when to sit off. Eventually when they are in the lead and they are getting dominated in the game, Casemiro would drop into the back 4 and Valverde would slot in the right back spot to make it 6 at the back, Vinícius Júnior would come back alittle back not too much they relied on his pace as an outlet. 

Ancelotti’s tactical approach with Real Madrid involves setting up in a 4-3-3 formation with a high-positioned offensive four to protect against counter-attacks. The midfielders position themselves around the half line and increase the pressing as opponents reach this area, pulling them out of their own defensive third and creating space for Real’s wingers to exploit. If the opponent manages to get into Real Madrid’s half, they move to a low block, always keeping one or two players in higher positions and creating space for midfielders to use if the ball is recovered. Real sets up a deep square in the middle to prevent penetration through the centre and delay the opponent’s direct attack. Their first instinct after recovering the ball is to look for a direct entry into the penalty area rather than a pass. 

There have been reports and anecdotes in the media about Carlo Ancelotti asking his players for their opinion on who should be substituted during a game. This approach is often seen as a way to involve players in the decision-making process and empower them, while also potentially improving team morale and communication. 

In an interview AC Milan player Clarence Seedorf spoke about Ancelotti’s approach to substitutions, saying, “He [Ancelotti] would often come to the bench and ask us who we thought should be taken off or who should go on. It was always a dialogue.” 

Similarly, in his autobiography, former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso wrote, “Carlo Ancelotti would often ask the players themselves who was tired, who needed to come off and who wanted to go on. That way, we all felt involved and he could make informed decisions.” 

Ancelotti’s approach to substitutions may be seen as a reflection of his management style, which emphasizes communication, trust, and empowerment of players. 

Catch you in the next one.