Ancelotti on his ‘worst’ mistake, ‘thoughest period’ at Napoli and ‘special’ Milan player | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti admitted he is ‘beginning to think’ about his retirement although he’d like to ‘win another Champions League’ before putting an end to his coaching career.

The Italian tactician was recently named the best coach of 2024, but he decided not to attend the award-giving ceremony after he found out that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior wouldn’t be the Ballon d’Or winner.

Ancelotti has lifted the Champions League trophy five times as a manager, and he explained in an interview with France Football why the first of them, which came in 2003 with Milan, is the first victory that ‘comes to mind’, also revealing the ‘worst’ mistake he made throughout his career after his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti reveals what would make him retire and mentions ‘special player’

“The first victory that comes to mind is that one, my first Champions League as a coach,” Ancelotti told France Football, as reported by Tuttosport.

“Until then, I had finished second many times. Then I think of the 10th [Champions League] in 2014 and the 14th in 2022.”

Despite all the silverware won at Real Madrid, the Italian coach admitted it wasn’t all roses with the Merengues, as he made his ‘worst’ mistake after winning the Champions League title in 2014.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 3: Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid walks onto the pitch before in the pre-season friendly match against the FC Barcelona at MetLife Stadium on August 3, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Getty Images)

“It’s impossible to make only good decisions over thirty years,” he explained.

“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.”

Ancelotti’s start to the current season with the Madrid giants has been complicated, and the former Milan coach admitted that being fired by his current club is something that could make him ‘stop’.

“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,” Ancelotti said.

“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 coached Juventus, Milan and Napoli in his career, and he revealed his most difficult time as a manager came when he was at the helm of the Partenopei.

“My time at Napoli was the toughest period for me,” he conceded.

“It’s hard to explain because, individually, the team was good. However, there was a change from Maurizio Sarri’s style of play, and this disrupted the balance in the locker room a bit. We worked well in the first season, but the second was more difficult.”

Asked to mention the best players he has coached, Ancelotti said it is ‘impossible’ to make his best eleven as he managed ‘fantastic players and teams’, but made the name of a footballer who’s been hugely influential for him.

“Paolo Maldini, without a doubt, was a special player for me,” he said.

“He had been my teammate and then became my captain. He helped me a lot in Milan; we had a strong and fantastic relationship.

“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.”