Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola are two of the best football managers in the business, whose teams have consistently dominated despite changes in the sport and tactics.
Man-Management skills
“The most important thing for a coach is to build a good relationship with his players.”
Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti is widely recognized as one of the best managers when it comes to man-management skills. His recent stint at Real Madrid is a testament to that. Vinicius Jr., a young player with excellent dribbling abilities, was often criticized for his inability to score goals. However, under Ancelotti’s guidance, he has become a goal-scoring machine.
His recent goal, a curler from outside the box against Girona, is a clear example of how Ancelotti has honed Vinicius Jr.’s abilities and turned him into a more complete player. Not only Vinicius Jr., but players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka have also developed under him capable of deciding close contests through manipulating the ball in tight spaces.
“In the Champions League, I always overthink. I always create new tactics and ideas, and tomorrow you will see a new one. I overthink a lot, that’s why I have very good results in the Champions League. I love it.”
Pep Guardiola
Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the best footballing minds of all time. From his sextuple-winning Barcelona team of 2009 to his recent Manchester City team, he has always delighted football fans with his attacking style of play. In doing so, he has produced some of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen, such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Rodri.
However, some footballers have complained that he has not treated them well. Yaya Touré, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Samuel Eto’o are among the players who have clashed with him. Nonetheless, his recent tenure at Manchester City has demonstrated that he has the ability to transform footballers into superstars.
Winning vs Playstyle
“Football is not about winning, it’s about entertaining the people.”
Carlo Ancelotti
There has always been a debate on whether winning or playing well is more important in sports. For a manager of a top club, the ultimate goal is to get the best results. Failure to achieve this could result in them being sacked. However, Ancelotti has always prioritized playing quality football that can please the fans.
Even though his playstyle is often described as pragmatic, he has shown the world how a counterattacking team can play classy football. One of the finest counterattacking goals ever was scored by Ronaldo against Bayern, which helped his team take a 3-0 lead in just 34 minutes. His teams continue to serve as a role model for other teams and managers who aspire to play fast counterattacking football.
“Football is like life. It’s not just about winning, it’s about enjoying every moment.”
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola is a maestro who focuses on what he prefers. He has mastered the Cruyff philosophy in his own unique way. As a coach, one of his major qualities is that he does not want his team to keep the ball just for the sake of having it. Instead, they must have the ball with the intention of scoring a goal. His famous footballing philosophy, tiki-taka, is something that no team has been able to achieve to date. It involves short passing, players moving to spaces and scoring goals for fun, which is an ideal definition of his tiki-taka teams.
An adaptable approach
Football tactics and strategies have evolved significantly over the years, with teams now relying heavily on technology to gain an edge over their opponents. This has raised concerns about whether traditional managers can compete in the modern era of football. While some managers like José Mourinho and Rafael Benitez have struggled to build teams that can dominate in today’s football world, others like Ancelotti and Pep have been successful in adapting to these changes.
Pep is known for his tactical adjustments, such as using John Stones as a midfielder. In contrast, Ancelotti has been credited for his diamond midfield strategy that allows players like Jude Belligham to express themselves. Ancelotti’s thinking to transform Andrea Pirlo from an attacking midfielder to a more defensive position while still allowing him to conduct plays long back, is a testament to his adaptability to changing times.
Managing a football team is a difficult job that requires constant experimentation and innovation. Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola are two brilliant minds who have made significant contributions to the football world and we owe them a lot for their contributions.
Good work …makes an interesting read..