Tonight’s Final: Ancelotti Eyes 15th Trophy with Real Madrid to Become Club’s Most Successful Manager

At 65 years old, Carlo Ancelotti stands on the brink of history. On December 18 at 8 PM local time in Qatar (1 AM Beijing time on December 19), Real Madrid will face Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. Should Real Madrid emerge victorious, Ancelotti will claim his 15th trophy as the club’s manager, cementing his place as the most successful coach in the illustrious history of Los Blancos.

Ancelotti: A Day of Triumph

Real Madrid’s trip to Qatar has already proven memorable. The team first attended the FIFA Awards gala, where Ancelotti was named FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year, beating out esteemed rivals such as Xabi Alonso, Pep Guardiola, and Luis de la Fuente. Less than 24 hours after this personal accolade, Ancelotti now has the chance to guide his team to yet another trophy in the Intercontinental Cup final.

A Career of Glory at Real Madrid

Ancelotti’s tenure with Real Madrid has been nothing short of extraordinary. His first spell with the club, from 2013 to 2015, yielded four trophies:

• 1 UEFA Champions League
• 1 FIFA Club World Cup
• 1 UEFA Super Cup
• 1 Copa del Rey

In 2021, Ancelotti returned to the Santiago Bernabéu for a second stint, and his success rate only accelerated. Over the past two years, he has added 10 more trophies to his collection:

• 2 UEFA Champions Leagues
• 1 FIFA Club World Cup
• 2 La Liga titles
• 2 UEFA Super Cups
• 1 Copa del Rey
• 2 Spanish Super Cups

This brings his total to 14 trophies with Real Madrid, tying him with the legendary Miguel Muñoz, who managed the club from 1960 to 1974. Ancelotti has already surpassed Zinedine Zidane’s 11 trophies and Vicente del Bosque’s 7.

A Trophy Machine

The efficiency of Ancelotti’s trophy-winning record is nothing short of remarkable. If Real Madrid wins tonight, Ancelotti will have secured 15 trophies in just 315 matches as the club’s manager—an average of one trophy every 21 matches. For comparison:

• Miguel Muñoz required 605 matches to achieve his 14 trophies.
• Zinedine Zidane, famed for leading Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles, won 11 trophies in 263 matches, averaging one trophy every 24 matches.

These statistics highlight Ancelotti’s ability to maintain consistency and deliver success at the highest level, a testament to his tactical acumen and leadership.

The Stakes of the Final

For Ancelotti, the Intercontinental Cup final represents more than just another chance to lift silverware. It’s an opportunity to solidify his legacy as Real Madrid’s greatest-ever manager. His players, fresh off celebrating individual accolades at the FIFA gala, will now look to translate that momentum into collective success on the pitch.

Victory tonight would not only make Ancelotti the most decorated manager in Real Madrid’s history but also further underscore his ability to adapt and excel in an era where competition is fiercer than ever.

A Historic Night Awaits

As the Lusail Iconic Stadium prepares to host the clash between Real Madrid and Pachuca, all eyes will be on Ancelotti. With his legacy on the line and his team poised to deliver, the stage is set for another chapter of glory in the storied history of Real Madrid.