‘I’ve never innovated in football’ – Carlo Ancelotti examines his managerial legacy

In 2025, Carlo Ancelotti will be entering his 30th year as a head coach. Across that timespan, Ancelotti has become the most successful head coach in Champions League history having won the trophy five times (twice with AC Milan and three times with Real Madrid), with no other manager having more than three titles to their name. 

However, there has always been the reputation surrounding Ancelotti that he is not a manager who innovates and reshapes the tactical landscape like Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp, but that his biggest talent has been his pragmatism. He is seen as a head coach who works by putting his best players in their best positions. 

It is an unfair and shortsighted criticism, but it is one that Ancelotti appears to accept. Speaking exclusively to France Football, the Real Madrid manager expressed “I don’t know how people regard me, but I think I’ve never innovated in football. I’ve always tried to put players in the best possible conditions so that they are comfortable during the match.” 

He continued, “In our job, the most important part is the players, they are the stars of the film. Sometimes I’ve put players in positions where they weren’t used to playing. I’m thinking of (Andrea) Pirlo [played in front of the defence as a regista] or (Angel) Di Maria [played as a midfielder]. But I’ve never done it without their agreement. I’ve never imposed anything on a player.” 

Carlo Ancelotti’s subtle approach tested this season

It is an approach to football that has been tested this season at Real Madrid with the arrival of Kylian Mbappé (25). Ancelotti has been tasked with finding a way to balance the talents of the Frenchman alongside Vinicius Jr. (24) when both players are natural left-wingers. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland