Carlo Ancelotti has now officially transitioned to manage the Brazil national team, preparing for the 2026 World Cup. His departure signals a significant shift for Real Madrid. Ancelotti leaves as the club`s most decorated coach, having secured 15 trophies, including three Champions League titles. With Xabi Alonso potentially stepping in ahead of upcoming tournaments, it`s an opportune moment to reflect on Ancelotti`s tenure and assess his place among Real Madrid`s historical managerial greats. Let`s rank the top five coaches in the club`s storied history:
5. Jose Mourinho (2010-2013)
While perhaps debated by some, Jose Mourinho is considered by a large portion of the Real Madrid fanbase to be among their finest managers. His key achievement was winning the La Liga title in the 2011-12 season, becoming the first coach to break Pep Guardiola`s league dominance with Barcelona during their peak years. Appointed in the summer of 2010 shortly after winning the Treble with Inter Milan, Florentino Perez brought “The Special One” to Madrid with the explicit goal of restoring glory and halting Barcelona`s ascendancy. In his inaugural season, he secured the Copa del Rey by defeating Barcelona in the final, followed by a sensational league-winning campaign.
4. Vicente Del Bosque (1994, 1996, 1999-2003)
A legendary Spanish figure, Vicente Del Bosque left an indelible mark on European football. At Real Madrid, he claimed two La Liga titles and, notably, two Champions League trophies, including the 2001 final win over Bayer Leverkusen, famous for Zinedine Zidane`s spectacular winning goal. Del Bosque also enjoyed a successful playing career for Real Madrid, winning five La Liga titles between 1974 and 1980. He managed the club on three occasions, initially as a caretaker twice before beginning his most successful continuous spell from 1999. He was the first manager appointed during Florentino Perez`s initial presidency in 2000.
3. Miguel Munoz (1960-1974)
Miguel Munoz was a pivotal figure in 20th-century Spanish football. After winning three European Cups as a Real Madrid player from 1948 to 1958, he transitioned to management in 1960, initiating one of the club`s most successful periods. As coach, he led Madrid to two European Cups (1960 and 1966) and an impressive nine La Liga titles, among other honors. Having managed 601 games, he still holds the record for the most matches overseen by a Real Madrid coach, presiding over an era of significant domestic and European dominance.
2. Zinedine Zidane (2016-2018, 2019-2021)
Zinedine Zidane achieved iconic status first as a player and then as manager of the Spanish giants. When Florentino Perez appointed him in 2016 to replace Rafa Benitez, there were initial questions, given it was his first senior head coaching role (though he had been Carlo Ancelotti`s assistant during the 2014 Champions League win). Zidane`s two stints (2016-2018 and 2019-2021) proved historic. He led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League triumphs from 2016 to 2018, an unprecedented achievement in the history of the competition. To date, Real Madrid remains the only club he has managed at the senior level.
1. Carlo Ancelotti (2013-2015, 2021-2025)
And finally, Carlo Ancelotti takes the top spot. He is undeniably one of football`s most successful managers globally, boasting 31 major trophies across spells in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and England. Ancelotti is the only coach to have won league titles in all five of Europe`s major leagues and holds the record for the most Champions League titles (five total) and UEFA Super Cup titles (five total) as a manager. Across his two tenures at Real Madrid, he secured three Champions League victories: `La Décima` in 2014 against Atletico Madrid, another in 2022 facing Liverpool, and a third in 2024 against Borussia Dortmund in London. With 15 trophies, Ancelotti stands as the most decorated manager in Real Madrid`s history by silverware.
Benedict Kingsley