20. Louis van Gaal
“Congratulations on signing the best coach in the world,” Van Gaal declared after being appointed Ajax boss in 1991. That was quite the statement considering his managerial career up to that point consisted of, well, nothing.
But Van Gaal soon lived up to his self-proclaimed status. The unconventional Dutchman – who once dropped his trousers in front of startled Bayern Munich players to make a point – won three Eredivisie titles, a UEFA Cup and the Champions League at the Amsterdam Arena.
He then lifted two La Liga trophies at Barcelona, another Eredivisie with AZ and the Bundesliga with Bayern, before leading the Netherlands to third place at the 2014 World Cup.
19. Nereo Rocco
Rocco won two European Cups with Milan in the ’60s, but he’s often forgotten among Italy’s coaching greats. His love of catenaccio is often maligned, but Rocco’s teams scored freely.
The Italian was a ferocious winner who shaped attitudes of countless countrymen to follow, and also conquered some of the most celebrated sides of all time; namely, Eusebio’s Benfica in 1963, Johan Cruyff’s Ajax in 1969, and Argentina’s infamous Estudiantes outfit.
18. Ottmar Hitzfeld
Hitzfeld has felt the highs and lows of Champions League finals more than anyone. In 1997, his gutsy Dortmund beat Juventus to lift their only such trophy to date. Two years on, he watched in horror as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer toe-poked Manchester United’s late winner against his stunned Bayern Munich.
‘Gottmar’ soon made amends in 2001, taking his major trophy tally to 18 over spells in Germany and Switzerland – including seven Bundesliga titles.
17. Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti is one of just five managers to have won the Champions League at two different clubs – first at Milan in 2003, before ending Real Madrid’s quest for La Decima in 2014. He then became the first boss to win the tournament four times, guiding Madrid to glory again in 2022.
He began his managerial adventure with three years alongside Italy boss Arrigo Sacchi in the early 90s, then instantly took Reggiana up from Serie B. Later, he breathed some life into former club Milan and turned a struggling side into continental kings, while titles at PSG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich add to his haul.
16. Miguel Munoz
Munoz is Real Madrid’s most successful manager. He’s also the man who once told icon Alfredo Di Stefano to ‘f**k off’.
The city native is Real’s longest-serving gaffer, having spent more than 14 years at the Bernabeu and won 14 honours including two European Cups and nine La Liga titles.
In that time Munoz became immune to egos, as shown in his team’s 1964 European Cup Final defeat to Inter when he gave a critical Di Stefano short shrift. The Blond Arrow never put a Blancos shirt on again.
15. Vicente del Bosque
“A leader is admired – a boss is feared.” In Del Bosque’s case, he chose the path that didn’t require burning everything in sight.
Del Bosque’s mindset was to seek balance in his team, even among egos. That worked to great effect at Real Madrid, where he won claimed two La Liga crowns and two Champions Leagues in the space of four seasons.
He later took charge of his country, inheriting Luis Aragones’s European champions and guiding them to glory at the 2010 World Cup. Del Bosque’s Spain side, who regarded the ball as their own private property wherever they went, also triumphed at Euro 2012.
14. Giovanni Trapattoni
Seven men have won the European Cup as a player and manager. Miguel Munoz was first, followed in 1985 by Serie A’s most successful coach in history.
Trapattoni’s seven titles with Juventus and Inter are unrivalled, and he delivered European success to both. With Juve he also lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup and two UEFA trinkets, while his Inter charges won the latter in 1991.
Ultimately, a 39-year legacy – including titles in Germany, Portugal and Austria – will be judged on all that glitters.
13. Marcello Lippi
After Fabio Grosso netted the winning penalty for Italy against France in the 2006 World Cup Final, Lippi didn’t jump for joy.
“I turned to the bench, took off my glasses, picked up the pouch, undid the zip, put the glasses in... and then started celebrating,” he said.
He’d learned a lesson: in 1996, the Tuscan was a Champions League winner with Juventus – but his specs suffered. Lippi also landed five league titles in Turin, and another three at Guangzhou Evergrande.
12. Jose Mourinho
Love him or loathe him, Jose’s impact on football has been outstanding since he burst onto the scene as Porto boss in 2003.
His pair of Champions League successes were achieved with the Portuguese dark horses and Inter; both absolute masterclasses in coaching and man-management. He revamped Chelsea in his image, turning the Blues into a dominant force that won the title leaking only 15 goals in 2004/05.
Charismatic, petulant, demanding and ambitious, Mourinho will never not be a force within the game. Winner.
11. Brian Clough
“Well, I ask him which way he thinks it should be done, we get down to it, we talk about it for 20 minutes and then we decide I was right.” So said Clough when asked how he reacts when a player questions his methods.
But Ol’ Big ‘Ead was a master of the carrot as well as the stick. Flanked by recruitment specialist Peter Taylor, Clough enjoyed extraordinary success at Derby (one First Division title) and Nottingham Forest (one title and back-to-back European Cups) – two provincial clubs without a league championship between them before he took charge.
Clough was never quite the same after Taylor left his side in 1982, but by then his legacy was already assured.
