Carlo Ancelotti’s autobiography, The Beautiful Games of an
Ordinary Genius, was released with little fanfare in 2010. In a world of
bland, vacant soccer books,
its uniqueness and frankness are refreshing in places, zany in others. In one memorable passage, Ancelotti writes:
Currently in Madrid, with whom he won last season's Champions League (the club's historic tenth triumph in the competition – the desperately longed-for 'La Decima'), he's proved so adept at overseeing a collection of the world's best and most high-profile players (Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos) that there's talk of a long-term stay at the Bernabeu.
Naturally, Madrid's definition of 'long-term' is a loose one, given the executive members of the club were unsure if Ancelotti was a good fit just weeks after he had guided the side to the unprecedented European success in May. Doubts emerged again when the club struggled in La Liga early on this season but they currently head the table by a point and have won their last 22 games in a row – a Spanish record. The most recent victory came in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup last weekend where they beat South American champions San Lorenzo 2-0. It was Real's fourth tournament win of the year. Ancelotti has created another magnificent team.
Yet, he is admired only from a distance. Where other coaches worship the attention and the starring role - their expert quips and self-assured allure enticing and seducing those around them - Ancelotti is a dour slob in comparison. He's not interested in media manipulation or playing silly games. Rarely does he point a finger or rage at officials or players. But, like any coach, there is that side to him. Unlike others though, he specializes in control and takes pride in handling a dressing room.
A common narrative in Ancelotti's gold-tinted managerial career has been the litany of superstar soccer players at his disposal. But, that brings its own complications and complexities. Much has been made regarding the statistical revolution that's gripped the sport in recent years but there's no magic formula for team chemistry just yet. The combination of egomaniac personalities and the usual controlling, dictatorial nature of most managers regularly leads to blow-ups and fall-outs. Yet, Ancelotti has repeatedly worked with the world's best and survived. And he's done it under the glare of multi-billionaire owners, who are always likely to chime in on what formation the Italian should play for the following match.
Ancelotti manages upwards just as cleverly as he manages downwards. At Milan, he learned that if he didn't please Berlusconi, he'd lose the opportunity to create something tangible and special with the club. He ended up staying for eight years at the San Siro and won two Champions League titles, a Scudetto, a Coppa Italia, two UEFA Super Cups and his first FIFA Club World Cup. He knew that his strategy was a smart one and he's deployed it since, wherever he's ended up.
Earlier this year, Ryan Giggs attended a pro-license management course during his brief stint as Manchester United's caretaker boss. At one stage, he sat enthralled as Ancelotti turned up and gave an interview to John Peacock, the FA's head of coaching. He opened up about the need for managers to be flexible and open to changing their ways when necessary.
To illustrate his point, he referenced a moment when legendary Italian playmaker Roberto Baggio became available to buy. Ancelotti, still a novice coach at Parma, didn't bite. Baggio was a 'number 10', a luxury item that didn't fit in with the resolute 4-4-2 formation Ancelotti believed in so much. Baggio moved to Bologna, scored 22 goals and was an inspiration. The error has stayed with Ancelotti ever since. Great players are great players. Don't put a system before them. Put their qualities first.
But what is interesting is that Ancelotti, a well-traveled and well-versed champion, stood in front of budding managers and spoke about making mistakes. He didn't bend ears with tales of champagne and caviar. Instead, his talk centred on the realities of being in charge and responding to setbacks.
He had already guided Milan to one Champions League win when they qualified for another final against Liverpool in 2005. Leading 3-0 at half-time, they prepared themselves for a tame second-half and an easy ride towards the full-time whistle. Instead, Liverpool scored three times in six minutes, forced extra-time, then penalties and won the shootout. Others would've been defined by such an embarrassment. Ancelotti was philosophical. Two years later, they beat Liverpool in another Champions League final and he became one of the chosen few to have won the trophy twice as manager.
At Paris St-Germain, the much-heralded 'project' that attracted more big-name players and the world's attention in 2011, was humiliated when Montpellier won the league title during Ancelotti's first season in the French capital. Undeterred, he merely went out and won the championship in his second campaign in charge and then flew the PSG coup, replacing the departing Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
And it's been there, under such an intense microscope, that his quiet, reliable and consistent brilliance has shone through again. Despite the whispers that suggested a quick exit, Ancelotti just got on with what he does best: winning. And as Real look set to dominate Europe again, he may finish the season with a fourth Champions League success.
And if he doesn't, so what? That fat ass can protect him from anything. Even earthquakes.
Eoin O'Callaghan is a soccer journalist and broadcaster. Best known in North America for his TV work with Fox Soccer, he has also reported extensively for BBC, RTE and Setanta Sports. He writes about soccer for The Irish Examiner newspaper, beIN Sports, One World Sports and TheScore.ie. Follow him @EoinOCallaghan
its uniqueness and frankness are refreshing in places, zany in others. In one memorable passage, Ancelotti writes:
“There are times when I stand up in front of a full-length mirror and act like a contortionist. I twist my neck and I stare at my ass. My fat butt cheeks aren't a particularly edifying spectacle but… over time it's taught me a lesson: my ass is earthquake-proof."For the Italian, his big behind has proved a neat cushion that protects him from the multitude of power-hungry club owners he's dealt with throughout his career. In the last five years alone, he's served Silvio Berlusconi at AC Milan, Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, the Qatar Sports Investments consortium at Paris St-Germain and Florentino Perez at Real Madrid. Without a fat ass, the fat cats may just have got the better of him. Ultimately though, it's the shadow of his success, not his derriere, that looms large wherever he goes.
Currently in Madrid, with whom he won last season's Champions League (the club's historic tenth triumph in the competition – the desperately longed-for 'La Decima'), he's proved so adept at overseeing a collection of the world's best and most high-profile players (Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos) that there's talk of a long-term stay at the Bernabeu.
Naturally, Madrid's definition of 'long-term' is a loose one, given the executive members of the club were unsure if Ancelotti was a good fit just weeks after he had guided the side to the unprecedented European success in May. Doubts emerged again when the club struggled in La Liga early on this season but they currently head the table by a point and have won their last 22 games in a row – a Spanish record. The most recent victory came in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup last weekend where they beat South American champions San Lorenzo 2-0. It was Real's fourth tournament win of the year. Ancelotti has created another magnificent team.
Yet, he is admired only from a distance. Where other coaches worship the attention and the starring role - their expert quips and self-assured allure enticing and seducing those around them - Ancelotti is a dour slob in comparison. He's not interested in media manipulation or playing silly games. Rarely does he point a finger or rage at officials or players. But, like any coach, there is that side to him. Unlike others though, he specializes in control and takes pride in handling a dressing room.
A common narrative in Ancelotti's gold-tinted managerial career has been the litany of superstar soccer players at his disposal. But, that brings its own complications and complexities. Much has been made regarding the statistical revolution that's gripped the sport in recent years but there's no magic formula for team chemistry just yet. The combination of egomaniac personalities and the usual controlling, dictatorial nature of most managers regularly leads to blow-ups and fall-outs. Yet, Ancelotti has repeatedly worked with the world's best and survived. And he's done it under the glare of multi-billionaire owners, who are always likely to chime in on what formation the Italian should play for the following match.
Ancelotti manages upwards just as cleverly as he manages downwards. At Milan, he learned that if he didn't please Berlusconi, he'd lose the opportunity to create something tangible and special with the club. He ended up staying for eight years at the San Siro and won two Champions League titles, a Scudetto, a Coppa Italia, two UEFA Super Cups and his first FIFA Club World Cup. He knew that his strategy was a smart one and he's deployed it since, wherever he's ended up.
Earlier this year, Ryan Giggs attended a pro-license management course during his brief stint as Manchester United's caretaker boss. At one stage, he sat enthralled as Ancelotti turned up and gave an interview to John Peacock, the FA's head of coaching. He opened up about the need for managers to be flexible and open to changing their ways when necessary.
To illustrate his point, he referenced a moment when legendary Italian playmaker Roberto Baggio became available to buy. Ancelotti, still a novice coach at Parma, didn't bite. Baggio was a 'number 10', a luxury item that didn't fit in with the resolute 4-4-2 formation Ancelotti believed in so much. Baggio moved to Bologna, scored 22 goals and was an inspiration. The error has stayed with Ancelotti ever since. Great players are great players. Don't put a system before them. Put their qualities first.
But what is interesting is that Ancelotti, a well-traveled and well-versed champion, stood in front of budding managers and spoke about making mistakes. He didn't bend ears with tales of champagne and caviar. Instead, his talk centred on the realities of being in charge and responding to setbacks.
He had already guided Milan to one Champions League win when they qualified for another final against Liverpool in 2005. Leading 3-0 at half-time, they prepared themselves for a tame second-half and an easy ride towards the full-time whistle. Instead, Liverpool scored three times in six minutes, forced extra-time, then penalties and won the shootout. Others would've been defined by such an embarrassment. Ancelotti was philosophical. Two years later, they beat Liverpool in another Champions League final and he became one of the chosen few to have won the trophy twice as manager.
At Paris St-Germain, the much-heralded 'project' that attracted more big-name players and the world's attention in 2011, was humiliated when Montpellier won the league title during Ancelotti's first season in the French capital. Undeterred, he merely went out and won the championship in his second campaign in charge and then flew the PSG coup, replacing the departing Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
And it's been there, under such an intense microscope, that his quiet, reliable and consistent brilliance has shone through again. Despite the whispers that suggested a quick exit, Ancelotti just got on with what he does best: winning. And as Real look set to dominate Europe again, he may finish the season with a fourth Champions League success.
And if he doesn't, so what? That fat ass can protect him from anything. Even earthquakes.
Eoin O'Callaghan is a soccer journalist and broadcaster. Best known in North America for his TV work with Fox Soccer, he has also reported extensively for BBC, RTE and Setanta Sports. He writes about soccer for The Irish Examiner newspaper, beIN Sports, One World Sports and TheScore.ie. Follow him @EoinOCallaghan
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