In Europe, the Champions League is seen as the most demanding title among the players, managers, and clubs from all over Europe. The Giant clubs compete for this specific trophy every year, with the prestige and financial rewards received from the tournament one of the biggest in club football. Achieving success in this competition is usually seen by most players and managers as the benchmark of club-level achievement in Europe. For many managers, winning the Champions League is the ultimate goal. Some managers, however, have managed to win the competition multiple times, some with multiple teams as well. Without further due, here are the interesting football facts of five managers with the most Champions League titles.
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Football Facts: Managers with most UCL titles (Top Five)
Sir Alex Ferguson | 2 Champions League titles
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers in the history of football. The legendary manager is one of the most decorated managers in the history of football, with two Champions League titles as part of his extensive trophy haul.
Sir Alex Ferguson won his first title in the 1998-99 season when his Manchester United side defeated Bayern Munich 2-1 in the final. The Scottish manager won his second title in the 2007-08 season after his side defeated Chelsea on penalties in the final in Moscow.
Despite being one of the best managers of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson won the competition only twice. His Manchester United side lost two finals, both against Guardiola's Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola | 3 Champions League titles
Many regard Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager of his generation due to his success with all the clubs he has managed. The Spanish manager has won the competition thrice in his managerial career, two times with FC Barcelona and one with Manchester City.
Guardiola won his first Champions League title in his first season in charge of Barcelona, with his side defeating Manchester United 2-0 in 2008-09 as part of their first-ever treble. The former Barcelona midfielder was 38 years old at the time, making him the youngest manager to win the competition to date.
He won his second title two years later in the 2010-11 season, defeating the same opponent 3-1 in the final. Lionel Messi was the star of both triumphs, scoring both times. Then he managed Bayern but wasn't able to bring any Champions League titles to the German Club. Finally, his 12 years of wait came to an end when Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Final of the UCL 2022-23 season.
Zinedine Zidane | 3 Champions League titles
Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid in its most dominant period of the 21st century. The Frenchman won three titles with Los Blancos in three years in charge of the club. Zidane won his first title just four months after he replaced Rafael Benitez as manager of Real Madrid. He led the side to defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties in the 2015-16 final. The next season, Real Madrid defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final for their 12th crown. Zidane led Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the 2017-18 final. The Frenchman is the only manager in history to win the competition three consecutive times. He is also the first and only French manager to win the competition to date.
Bob Paisley | 3 European Cups
Bob Paisley was a Liverpool soccer player, manager, and administrator for almost 50 years. No football manager demonstrated the art of leading quietly and without ego more than Bob Paisley. He won twenty trophies in nine years for Liverpool Football Club between 1974 and 1983. He brought 3 European Cups, six League Championships (including three in a row in 1981, 1982, and 1983), three League Cups, 6 Charity Shields, one UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. Paisley is the only British manager to win the European Cup three times. Bob is now regarded as one of the best soccer managers of all time.
Carlo Ancelotti | 4 Champions League titles
Carlo Ancelotti is one of football's managerial greats of the 21st century. The Italian manager has won four Champions League titles in his time as a manager, having also won the competition twice as a player. Ancelotti won his first Champions League title in the 2002-03 season with AC Milan as his side defeated Juventus on penalties in the final. He won his second title in the 2006-07 season as AC Milan defeated Liverpool 2-1. Ancelotti won his third title with Real Madrid in the 2013-14 season after his side defeated Atletico Madrid 4-1. His fourth title came in the 2021-22 season with Real Madrid once again after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool. The Italian manager is also the only manager to win all of Europe's top five leagues.
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Football Facts: Managers with most UCL titles (Top Ten)
Managers | No. of title wins | Clubs | Years won |
Carlo Ancelotti | 4 | AC Milan, Real Madrid | 2003, 2007, 2014, 2022 |
Bob Paisley | 3 | Liverpool | 1977, 1978, 1981 |
Pep Guardiola | 3 | Barcelona, Manchester City | 2009, 2011, 2023 |
Zinedine Zidane | 3 | Real Madrid | 2016, 2017, 2018 |
Sir Alex Ferguson | 2 | Manchester United | 1999,2008 |
Jose Villalonga | 2 | Real Madrid | 1956, 1957 |
Luis Carniglia | 2 | Real Madrid | 1958, 1959 |
Bella Guttmann | 2 | Benfica | 1961, 1962 |
Helenio Herrera | 2 | Inter Milan | 1964, 1965 |
Nereo Rocco | 2 | AC Milan | 1963, 1969 |