Carlo Ancelotti: The Godfather of the Champions League

Heroes & Humans of Football

Carlo Ancelotti, son of poor Italian farmers, could be about to win a record fifth Champions League with Real Madrid. That’s pretty good for a guy whose managerial career started with him refusing to sign Roberto Baggio. This episode describes how the nicest man in football learned how to handle the egomaniacs around him, give players the power, and always made sure that everybody ate well together. The secrets of “quiet leadership” all around the world, from the coach whose own role model is Vito Corleone.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction to the episode on Carlo Ancelotti

0:29 - Ancelotti's background as a player and coach who won multiple Champions Leagues

2:21 - Ancelotti's qualities of being funny and having empathy

2:59 - Ancelotti's early life and family background in a farming village in Italy

6:22 - Ancelotti's time playing for Arrigo Sacchi's revolutionary AC Milan team

9:27 - How Ancelotti dealt with egos like Silvio Berlusconi as a player at Milan

11:51 - Ancelotti's early coaching jobs and transition to a more flexible style

14:50 - Ancelotti getting fired just before halftime at Juventus

16:31 - Ancelotti's successful stint at AC Milan as a manager winning the Champions League

19:00 - Ancelotti's time at Chelsea and getting fired in the tunnel after winning the double

22:19 - Ancelotti building Paris Saint-Germain into a top club after their takeover

25:39 - How Ancelotti managed egos like Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG

28:19 - Ancelotti's first stint at Real Madrid and his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo

34:49 - Ancelotti's short tenures at Bayern Munich, Napoli and Everton

36:57 - Ancelotti breaking his Champions League wins record in his second Real Madrid stint

39:41 - Ancelotti's empathetic man-management style with players like Vinicius Jr, Bellingham

44:13 - Ancelotti potentially becoming Brazil's next manager

46:27 - Discussion on Ancelotti's leadership style and legacy

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