History of Carlo Ancelotti in Timeline

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Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti, nicknamed "Carletto" and "Don Carlo", is an Italian professional football manager and former player, currently managing Real Madrid. Widely considered one of the greatest managers ever, he holds the record for the most UEFA Champions League titles won (5) and is the only manager to have participated in six finals. Notably, Ancelotti is also the sole manager to have secured league titles in all of Europe's top five leagues. His accomplishments further include three FIFA Club World Cup victories and a record-setting five UEFA Super Cup wins.

1 day ago : Ancelotti to Exit Real Madrid, Agrees to Coach Brazil National Team

Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid president Pérez will discuss his exit. Ancelotti has an agreement to coach Brazil, taking charge for the World Cup 2026.

June 1959: Carlo Ancelotti's Birth

In June 1959, Carlo Ancelotti was born. He later became a professional football manager and former player.

Others born on this day/year

1974: Began career with Parma

In 1974, Ancelotti began his career with Parma.

1976: Made professional debut for Parma

In 1976, Ancelotti made his professional debut in Serie C for Parma during the 1976-77 season at the age of 18.

1978: Helped Parma qualify for Serie B Play-offs

In 1978, Ancelotti helped Parma to a second place finish in Serie C1, qualifying them for the Serie B play-offs during the 1978–79 season.

1978: Helped Parma get promoted to Serie B

In 1978, Carlo Ancelotti played for Parma, helping the club get promoted to Serie B during the 1978-79 season.

1979: Transferred to Roma

In mid-1979, Ancelotti transferred to Roma and made his Serie A debut on September 16 in a draw against AC Milan.

1980: Played in World Champions' Gold Cup

In 1980, Ancelotti played in the World Champions' Gold Cup.

1980: Won first Coppa Italia title with Roma

In 1980, Ancelotti won his first Coppa Italia title with Roma.

January 1981: Scored First Goal for Italy

On 6 January 1981, Ancelotti scored his first and only goal for the Italy national team against the Netherlands.

1981: Won second Coppa Italia title with Roma

In 1981, Ancelotti won his second consecutive Coppa Italia title with Roma.

1982: Finished Second and Third in League

In 1982, Ancelotti helped Roma manage second and third-place league finishes.

1982: Missed World Cup due to injury

In 1982, Ancelotti was very likely to be capped for the 1982 World Cup campaign, but a dramatic knee injury forced him away for several months.

1983: Won Serie A title with Roma

In 1983, Ancelotti played a crucial role in helping Roma win the Serie A title, marking the club's second league title in their history.

1984: Reached European Cup final with Roma

In 1984, Ancelotti helped Roma reach the European Cup final, although he missed the final due to injury.

1984: Won Third Coppa Italia title with Roma

In 1984, Ancelotti won another Coppa Italia title with Roma, bringing his total to three.

1985: Named Roma's captain

In 1985, Ancelotti was named the captain of Roma under the new club manager Sven-Göran Eriksson and served as a mentor.

1986: Participated in World Cup

In 1986, Ancelotti was a part of Italy's World Cup squad, but did not make an appearance.

1986: Won Fourth Coppa Italia title with Roma

In 1986, Ancelotti won his fourth Coppa Italia title with Roma.

1987: Joined Milan

In 1987, Ancelotti joined Milan, becoming a key part of the squad.

1988: Reached Euro 1988 Semi-finals

In 1988, Ancelotti reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1988 with Italy.

1988: Represented Italy at UEFA Euro

In 1988, Ancelotti represented Italy at the UEFA Euro tournament, reaching the semi-finals.

1988: Won Serie A title with Milan

In 1988, Ancelotti won the Serie A title with Milan.

1989: Won European Cup with AC Milan

In 1989, Ancelotti won the European Cup with AC Milan as a player, marking a significant achievement in his playing career.

1990: Played in 1990 World Cup

In 1990, Ancelotti played in the 1990 World Cup on home soil, helping Italy to a 2–1 win against England in the third-place final.

1990: Won Second European Cup with AC Milan

In 1990, Ancelotti secured his second European Cup title with AC Milan as a player. He also represented Italy in the 1990 World Cup, finishing in third place.

1991: Retired from international football

In 1991, Ancelotti announced his retirement from international football, making his final Italy appearance under Arrigo Sacchi.

1991: Won Second Serie A title

In 1991, Ancelotti won a second Serie A title under Fabio Capello during the 1991–92 Serie A season.

May 1992: Played Final Match

On 17 May 1992, Ancelotti played the final match of his career with Milan, scoring two goals and receiving an ovation from the fans.

1992: Forced into retirement

Despite his abilities, his playing time was cut short by several injuries, which forced Ancelotti into retirement in 1992 at the age of 33.

1992: Played for Milan until 1992

From 1987 until 1992, Ancelotti was a key part of Milan's squad.

1992: Began Coaching Studies

In 1992, Ancelotti began his coaching studies at Coverciano, writing "Il Futuro del Calcio: Più Dinamicità".

1994: Reached World Cup final

Between 1992 and 1995, Ancelotti served as an assistant manager with the Italy national team under Arrigo Sacchi, reaching the 1994 World Cup final.

1995: Began managerial career

In 1995, Ancelotti began his managerial career, working for Reggiana, Parma, and Juventus between 1995 and 2001.

1995: Began managerial career with Reggiana

In 1995, after serving as assistant manager, Ancelotti began his managerial career with Serie B side Reggiana, helping them get promoted to Serie A.

1996: Joined Parma

In 1996, Ancelotti joined Parma as manager, implementing a rigorous 4–4–2 formation.

1997: Impeded Roberto Baggio Transfer

In 1997, Ancelotti impeded the transfer of Roberto Baggio to Parma, a decision he later regretted, stating that offensive playmakers were not compatible with his 4-4-2 system.

1997: Impeded Baggio's Transfer to Parma

In 1997, Ancelotti, then coaching Parma, impeded Roberto Baggio's transfer to the club due to his preference for a rigid 4-4-2 formation that didn't accommodate creative forwards in their preferred positions.

February 1999: Appointed Juventus Manager

In February 1999, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as the manager of Juventus, succeeding Marcello Lippi.

June 2001: Dismissal from Juventus

On 17 June 2001, Juventus announced Carlo Ancelotti's dismissal at half-time during the final league game against Atalanta. Despite Juventus winning the match 2–1, they finished as runner-up in Serie A.

November 2001: Appointed Milan Manager

On 5 November 2001, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as the manager of Milan, succeeding Fatih Terim.

2001: Joined Milan

In 2001, Ancelotti joined Milan as a manager.

2002: Won Champions League and Coppa Italia with Milan

In 2002, Ancelotti, as manager, led Milan to win both the 2002-03 Champions League and the 2002-03 Coppa Italia.

2003: Champions League and Coppa Italia Victories

In 2003, Milan, under Carlo Ancelotti, won the Champions League final against Juventus and the Coppa Italia Final over Roma. They also won the UEFA Super Cup in 2003 over Porto, but lost in penalty shootouts in the Supercoppa Italiana to Juventus, and in the Intercontinental Cup to Boca Juniors, and were knocked out by Deportivo de La Coruña in the Champions League.

2004: Scudetto Victory

In 2004, Carlo Ancelotti's Milan won the Scudetto with an Italian record of 82 points from 34 games, with Shevchenko finishing as the league's top-scorer.

2004: Supercoppa Italiana Win, Serie A Runner-up

In 2004, Carlo Ancelotti's Milan won the Supercoppa Italiana and were Serie A runners-up to Juventus.

2005: Champions League Final Loss

In 2005, Carlo Ancelotti led Milan to the Champions League final but lost to Liverpool 2–3 on penalties after a 3–3 draw. Milan was also unable to progress beyond the quarter finals of the Coppa Italia.

2006: Redesign of Milan's line-up

After Shevchenko's departure, in 2006, Carlo Ancelotti redesigned Milan's line-up, devising a 4–3–2–1 system known as the "Christmas Tree" formation.

2006: Serie A deduction

During the 2006-07 Serie A season, Milan received an eight-point deduction due to their role in the Calciopoli scandal.

2006: Devising the Christmas Tree Formation

In 2006, following Andriy Shevchenko's departure, Ancelotti redesigned Milan's lineup, creating the 4–3–2–1 system, known as his "Christmas Tree" formation.

May 2007: Champions League Trophy

On 23 May 2007, Carlo Ancelotti led Milan to a 2–1 win against Liverpool in the Champions League final, securing his second Champions League trophy as Milan coach.

2007: Won Second Champions League with Milan

In 2007, Ancelotti won his second Champions League title as manager of Milan.

June 2008: Son's Move to Borgomanero

In June 2008, Ancelotti's son, Davide, who previously played in the Milan youth team, joined Borgomanero.

2008: Resigned from Milan

In 2008, Ancelotti resigned from Milan after the 2008-09 season, concluding his tenure as the club's longest-serving manager.

May 2009: Publication of Autobiography

In May 2009, Ancelotti's autobiography, Preferisco la Coppa, was published, with proceeds benefiting the Fondazione Stefano Borgonovo for ALS research.

Preferisco la coppa: Vita, partite e miracoli di un normale fuoriclasse
Preferisco la coppa: Vita, partite e miracoli di un normale fuoriclasse

May 2009: Resignation from Milan

On 31 May 2009, Carlo Ancelotti announced his resignation from Milan after their 2–0 victory over Fiorentina.

June 2009: Confirmed as Chelsea Manager

On 1 June 2009, Carlo Ancelotti was confirmed as the new Chelsea manager, succeeding interim manager Guus Hiddink, after agreeing to a three-year contract.

August 2009: Community Shield Win

On 9 August 2009, Carlo Ancelotti won his first trophy as Chelsea manager, the Community Shield, by beating Manchester United on penalties after a 2–2 draw.

2009: Became manager of Chelsea

In 2009, Ancelotti became the manager of Chelsea.

2009: Implementing Formations at Chelsea

In 2009, upon joining Chelsea, Ancelotti initially used a 4–4–2 diamond formation, later switching to the 4–3–2–1 "Christmas Tree" formation and other formations like 4–2–3–1 and 4–3–3 to adapt to player availability and enhance creativity.

March 2010: Champions League Elimination

On 16 March 2010, Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea was eliminated from the Champions League after a 1–3 aggregate loss to Inter Milan.

May 2010: Premier League and FA Cup Double

In May 2010, Carlo Ancelotti led Chelsea to the Premier League title, beating Manchester United by one point and setting scoring records. On 15 May 2010, Ancelotti led Chelsea to its first ever domestic double by defeating Portsmouth 1–0 in the FA Cup final.

September 2010: Chelsea lost 3-4 against Newcastle United in the League Cup

On 23 September 2010 Chelsea lost 3-4 against Newcastle United in the League Cup.

September 2010: Death of Ancelotti's Father

On September 29, 2010, Ancelotti's father died at the age of 87, after battling diabetes and other health issues. Ancelotti had been regularly visiting his father in Italy while managing Chelsea.

October 2010: Chelsea defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the Premier League

On 3 October 2010, Chelsea defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the Premier League, with a goal from Drogba and a free-kick by Alex.

November 2010: Loss to Liverpool

On 7 November 2010, Chelsea lost to Liverpool at Anfield, 0-2.

January 2011: Chelsea signed Fernando Torres and David Luiz

On 31 January 2011, Chelsea signed Liverpool striker Fernando Torres for £50 million, and Benfica defender David Luiz for £22 million.

January 2011: Defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 5 January 2011, Chelsea suffered a 0–1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers, resulting in the team dropping to fifth in the league.

May 2011: Dismissal from Chelsea

On 22 May 2011, Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed from Chelsea after a 0–1 defeat against Everton. Chelsea had finished the 2010–11 Premier League in second place.

December 2011: Appointment as Paris Saint-Germain Manager

In December 2011, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as the new manager of Paris Saint-Germain, succeeding Antoine Kombouaré, with the club positioned at the top of Ligue 1.

2011: Became manager of Paris Saint-Germain

In 2011, Ancelotti became the manager of Paris Saint-Germain.

2011: Dating Mariann Barrena McClay

In 2011, it was announced that Ancelotti was dating Canadian businesswoman Mariann Barrena McClay.

March 2012: First Defeat as PSG Manager

In March 2012, Ancelotti faced his first defeat as PSG manager, with the club losing 1–3 against Lyon in the Coupe de France quarter-final. PSG then suffered their first Ligue 1 defeat under Ancelotti, losing 1–2 away to Nancy.

May 2013: Ligue 1 Title Win and Request to Leave PSG

In May 2013, Carlo Ancelotti clinched the Ligue 1 title with PSG with two matches to spare. On 19 May 2013, Ancelotti requested to leave the club to join Real Madrid.

June 2013: Appointment as Real Madrid Manager

In June 2013, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as the manager of Real Madrid, replacing José Mourinho, and signing a three-year contract. Zinedine Zidane and Paul Clement were announced as his assistant coaches.

August 2013: First League Game in Charge

On August 18, 2013, Ancelotti managed his first league game for Real Madrid, starting the season with a 2–1 victory at home against Real Betis. He shifted the team's formation to a 4–3–3, which proved successful.

April 2014: Copa del Rey Title and Champions League Semi-Finals

In April 2014, Carlo Ancelotti won his first major trophy as Real Madrid manager, defeating Barcelona 2–1 in the Copa del Rey final. On 29 April, Real Madrid defeated Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals.

July 2014: Marriage to Mariann Barrena McClay

In July 2014, Ancelotti married Canadian businesswoman Mariann Barrena McClay in Vancouver.

December 2014: FIFA Club World Cup Title

In December 2014, Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid team won the FIFA Club World Cup title, marking the culmination of a Spanish record of 22 consecutive victories.

2014: Awarded the Miguel Muñoz Trophy

In 2014, Ancelotti was awarded the Miguel Muñoz Trophy for being the best manager in La Liga.

January 2015: Induction into Italian Football Hall of Fame and IFFHS Award

In January 2015, Carlo Ancelotti was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame and won the IFFHS 2014 Award as The World's Best Club Coach.

May 2015: Dismissal from Real Madrid

In May 2015, Carlo Ancelotti was relieved of his duties as Real Madrid manager, despite having led the team to La Décima and winning the hearts of the board and fans.

December 2015: Confirmed as Bayern Munich Manager

In December 2015, it was confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti would replace Pep Guardiola as manager of Bayern Munich for the 2016–17 season, signing a three-year contract.

2015: Analysis of Ancelotti's Management Style

In 2015, Miguel Delaney of ESPN analyzed Ancelotti's management style, suggesting that his more relaxed approach is better suited for winning cup competitions compared to autocratic managers who excel in domestic leagues.

July 2016: First Training Session and Match

In July 2016, Carlo Ancelotti had his first training session with Bayern Munich and led them to a pre-season win against SV Lippstadt. His first match at Allianz Arena was a pre–season win against Manchester City.

August 2016: DFL-Supercup Victory and Bundesliga Debut

In August 2016, Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2–0 in the DFL-Supercup, marking his first trophy as Bayern's manager. On 26 August 2016, Bayern defeated Werder Bremen 6–0 in Ancelotti's Bundesliga debut.

2016: Became manager of Bayern Munich

In 2016, Ancelotti became the manager of Bayern Munich and won the Bundesliga title in his first season.

August 2017: Retaining the DFL-Supercup with Bayern Munich

In August 2017, Carlo Ancelotti started the 2017–18 season with Bayern Munich by retaining the DFL-Supercup, beating Borussia Dortmund 5–4 on penalties.

September 2017: Dismissal as Bayern Munich Manager

On September 28, 2017, Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed as manager of Bayern Munich, following a 3–0 away loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

May 2018: Appointment as Napoli Head Coach

In May 2018, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as head coach of Napoli, signing a three-year contract, replacing Maurizio Sarri.

2018: Managed Napoli

In 2018, Ancelotti began his stint at Napoli.

January 2019: Ancelotti Becomes Grandfather

In January 2019, Ancelotti became a grandfather to twins, born to his son Davide's wife, Ana Galocha.

December 2019: Appointment as Everton Manager

In December 2019, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as manager of Everton on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

December 2019: Dismissal from Napoli

In December 2019, Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed as manager of Napoli, despite a 4–0 home win against Genk in the Champions League that ensured Napoli's advancement to the round of 16.

March 2020: Sent Off After Match Against Manchester United

In March 2020, Carlo Ancelotti was sent off after the full-time whistle, following an on-pitch conversation with the referee Chris Kavanagh after a controversial VAR decision against Manchester United. He was charged with misconduct by the FA the following day.

2020: Signing New Players and Start of 2020-21 Season

During the close-season of 2020, Carlo Ancelotti signed his former players James Rodríguez and Allan, along with Ben Godfrey, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Niels Nkounkou and loanee Robin Olsen. Everton started the 2020–21 season with seven consecutive wins in all competitions, and Ancelotti was named September's Premier League Manager of the Month.

February 2021: Ancelotti's Home Burgled

In February 2021, Ancelotti's home in Crosby was burgled, with a safe being stolen and later found emptied in a nearby car park.

June 2021: Resignation from Everton and Return to Real Madrid

On June 1, 2021, Carlo Ancelotti resigned from his position at Everton to rejoin Real Madrid, following Zidane's resignation, signing a contract until 2024.

September 2021: 800 League Matches Milestone

On September 19, 2021, Carlo Ancelotti reached the milestone of managing in 800 league matches with clubs from the top five European leagues.

2021: Returned to Real Madrid

In the summer of 2021, Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid as manager.

November 2022: Record for Most Champions League Victories

On November 2, 2022, Carlo Ancelotti broke Ferguson's record for most victories in the Champions League, after a 5–1 win over Celtic, which was his 103rd victory in the competition.

2022: Second in the 2022 Best FIFA Men's Coach award

Carlo Ancelotti placed second in the 2022 Best FIFA Men's Coach award, behind winner Lionel Scaloni.

2022: Simple Football Philosophy

In 2022, Ancelotti commented on his coaching style, stating that he prefers to keep football simple and not overcomplicate things. He focuses on instructing players on the defensive aspect of the game to allow them more freedom and creativity in attack.

2022: Won La Liga-Champions League Double

In 2022, Ancelotti won a La Liga-Champions League double with Real Madrid.

2022: Ancelotti's Coaching Philosophy on Team Dynamics

In 2022, during his second spell at Real Madrid, Ancelotti emphasized his balanced approach and adaptability, crediting his strong relationship with players and willingness to consult them on tactical decisions as key factors in the team's success. He acknowledged the evolution of training methodologies but highlighted the consistency of his player relationships.

February 2023: Fifth FIFA Club World Cup Trophy

In February 2023, Carlo Ancelotti guided Real Madrid to a fifth FIFA Club World Cup trophy, as Real Madrid beat Al Hilal 5–3 in the final.

September 2023: 173rd Madrid Win

On September 2023, Ancelotti secured his 173rd win as Real Madrid's coach with a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad, surpassing Zinedine Zidane to become the coach with the second-most wins in the club's history.

October 2023: Honorary Doctorate from University of Parma

On October 11, 2023, Ancelotti received an honorary doctorate from the University of Parma for his research in "Sciences and Techniques of Preventive and Adapted Motor Activities".

2023: Comments on coaching style

In 2023, Ancelotti commented on his coaching style in comparison to other managers stating that he is "old school" and believes that the new generation of coaches give too much information to the players about the game in possession, taking away creativity.

2023: 2023–24 UEFA Champions League

In the 2023-24 season, Ancelotti's Real Madrid team won the Champions League.

April 2024: 200th Champions League Appearance & Semi-Finals Qualification

In April 2024, during the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Manchester City, Ancelotti made his 200th appearance in the competition as a manager, becoming the first to reach this milestone. Then, on April 17, Real Madrid advanced to the semi-finals after overcoming Manchester City on penalties, equalling Pep Guardiola's record of reaching the Champions League semi-finals on ten occasions as a manager.

2024: Won La Liga-Champions League Double

In 2024, Ancelotti secured another La Liga–Champions League double with Real Madrid.

2024: Ancelotti Discusses Tactical Flexibility

In 2024, leading up to the Champions League final, Ancelotti emphasized the importance of tactical flexibility, stating that his style is "not recognised" because he changes. He discussed specific strategies used against teams like Shakhtar Donetsk and Manchester City, highlighting his adaptability.

April 2025: Tax Evasion Trial

On April 2, 2025, Ancelotti stood trial in a Spanish court for alleged tax evasion, where he insisted his tax affairs were in order amid allegations that he failed to pay €1 million in taxes on image rights revenue.

June 2026: Contract Extension with Real Madrid

In June 2026, Real Madrid announced that Ancelotti had agreed to a contract extension to continue as their head coach until June 30, 2026, despite previous links to the Brazil national football team position.