Ancelotti says Milan is ‘best club to study football’ and praises ‘special’ Maldini | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti has spoken about what AC Milan means to him as a club, while naming Paolo Maldini among the best players he has ever coached.

Ancelotti is the most successful manager in UEFA Champions League history, having won the trophy a record five times as a coach and also twice more as a player, so he knows all about winning at the highest level.

He won it with Milan as a player and as a manager, while the Italian is also the only manager to win league titles in all of Europe’s ‘top five’ leagues. Simply put, Don Carlo will go down as one of the best to ever do it.

Ancelotti gave an interview to France Football about his career as a coach, with his comments relayed by Football Italia, starting with his favourite memories.

“The first victory that comes to mind is that one, my first Champions League as a coach. Until then, I had finished second many times. Then I think of the 10th [Champions League] in 2014 and the 14th in 2022,” he said.

“It’s impossible to make only good decisions over thirty years. For example, I made a mistake here in Madrid after my first year.

“I was very close to extending my contract, and the club wanted to keep me, but I pushed too hard to increase my salary, and they backed off. It was a mistake, the worst I could have made, but it allowed me to learn.

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“Retirement? Yes, I can imagine it. I started playing football forty-eight years ago, so I’m beginning to think about the day when all this might end.

“Before retiring, I’d like to win another Champions League. Every coach wants to reach the highest levels. Coaching Real Madrid is truly special; it’s the best club in the world because of its history, atmosphere, and fans.

“What might make me stop? I’d say I would stop if Real Madrid fired me. I don’t know what could make me retire – my wife wants me to keep going.

“But what I am sure of is that the day I retire will be fantastic. I have so many things to do and places to see. I want to go to Argentina, the Maldives, Australia; I want to travel.”

Ancelotti has coached Juventus, Milan and Napoli his time, and he was asked to name a player that has been influential for him.

Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

“Paolo Maldini, without a doubt, was a special player for me. He had been my teammate and then became my captain. He helped me a lot in Milan; we had a strong and fantastic relationship,” he said.

“Then, of course, there was Ibrahimovic, with his strong character and big personality. In general, the most important players are the easiest to coach. They may have a big ego, but that can be their motivation.

“The best clubs I have managed? Milan and Madrid. When it comes to the best team, it’s hard to talk about. I had the honor of managing fantastic players and teams.

“I can’t even list the best players I’ve coached. My best eleven doesn’t exist, it’s impossible to make one. It would almost be disrespectful. Incredible players. How do you choose?

“Every coach wants to reach the top. But coaching Real Madrid is really special, it’s the best club in the world, because of its history, atmosphere, and fans. And then there’s Milan, the best club to study football. I had the opportunity to manage both.”