Carlo Ancelotti has officially moved to manage the Brazil national team, preparing for the 2026 World Cup. This departure marks a significant shift for Real Madrid, as Ancelotti leaves as the club`s most decorated coach, having secured 15 trophies, including three Champions League titles. As Xabi Alonso is expected to take the helm before the summer`s FIFA Club World Cup, it`s fitting to reflect on Ancelotti`s impactful tenure. Where does he rank among the greatest managers in Real Madrid`s history? Here are the top five coaches:
5. Jose Mourinho (2010-2013)
Though perhaps controversial for some, many Real Madrid supporters regard Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho highly. His key achievement was winning the La Liga title in the 2011-12 season, notably ending Pep Guardiola`s dominant Barcelona run. Appointed in the summer of 2010 shortly after his Treble win with Inter, Florentino Perez tasked `The Special One` with restoring Real Madrid`s prominence and challenging Barcelona`s era of success. In his debut season, he secured the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, followed by a remarkable league campaign the next year.
4. Vicente Del Bosque (1994, 1996, 1999-2003)
This iconic Spanish figure is a legendary coach in European football. During his time at Real Madrid, Del Bosque claimed two La Liga titles and, crucially, two Champions League trophies. One notable win was the 2001 final against Bayer Leverkusen (2-1), sealed by Zinedine Zidane`s goal. Del Bosque also had a distinguished playing career for Real Madrid, winning five La Liga titles between 1974 and 1980. He managed the club three distinct times, serving as caretaker twice before his significant spell from 1999 onwards, which marked a highly successful era. He was the first manager under Florentino Perez`s presidency, which began in 2000.
3. Miguel Munoz (1960-1974)
Likely one of the most significant personalities in 20th-century Spanish football, Munoz played for Real Madrid from 1948 to 1958, winning three European Cups as a player. He transitioned to management in 1960, initiating a golden age for the club. As coach, he added two more European Cups (1960 and 1966) and a remarkable nine La Liga titles, plus other honors. With 601 matches at the helm, he remains Real Madrid`s longest-serving manager, overseeing one of the sport`s most dominant periods.
2. Zinedine Zidane (2016-2018, 2019-2021)
An iconic figure both as a player and manager for the Spanish giants, Zidane`s appointment in 2016 to replace Rafa Benitez raised some eyebrows, as it was his first senior head coaching role, though he had won the Champions League as Carlo Ancelotti`s assistant two years prior. Zidane led Real Madrid during two spells (2016-2018 and 2019-2021). His most extraordinary achievement was winning the Champions League for three consecutive seasons (2016-2018), an unprecedented feat. To date, Real Madrid remains the only club he has managed.
1. Carlo Ancelotti (2013-2015, 2021-2025)
Finally, Carlo Ancelotti. This Italian coach is renowned as one of football`s most successful managers globally, boasting 31 major trophies across Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and England. He is uniquely the only manager to have won league titles in all top five European leagues and holds records for the most Champions League (five) and UEFA Super Cup (five) titles. Across his two tenures at Real Madrid, he secured three Champions League triumphs. The first came in 2014, delivering `La Decima` against Atletico Madrid. Subsequent wins followed in 2022 versus Liverpool and last year against Borussia Dortmund. Amassing 15 trophies for the club, Ancelotti stands as Real Madrid`s most decorated manager.
