Ancelotti equals Zidane's 11 titles at Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti now has the same number of trophies as Real Madrid coach as Zinedine Zidane. The Italian boss crushed Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, taking the number of trophies won by 'Los Blancos' in the competition, held in Saudi Arabia, to 13. On a personal level, he took his tally to 11, the same as that of the Frenchman, who was his assistant at the start of his coaching career.

Their profiles have been forged in parallel, with one learning from the other. Although it was the Italian who took on a teaching role in the 2013-14 season, the first season in which they shared a bench, the Frenchman, with three Champions Leagues under his belt, is such a reference figure that his counterpart has mentioned him on occasion as a mirror in which to look at himself in order to improve.

"He helped me a lot because he knew the club very well. I knew him very well. He helped me a lot with the French players and to adapt to Spanish football, Spanish culture.... I think he has been a great help," said the Italian boss in one of his press conferences this month. The period to which he alluded, in fact, required an understanding of two French superstars: Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema.

It is easy to understand why they understood each other so well on a tactical and personal level because they share a way of managing the squad that is based on the blackboard, yes, but, above all, on group management. Both have taken advice from the modern sources of football, they have been open to changing their schemes when they have seen it was necessary and they have carried out these adjustments with the support of their players, something not always easy in the elite, where personalities are fierce.

Only Miguel Munoz ahead of them

Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane are the most decorated coaches in Real Madrid's history, behind only the legendary Miguel Munoz. This Spanish coach, known not only for his management of the 'Merengue' dressing room, but also of the Spanish national team, signed a period of absolute conquest of titles in the 60s, when he managed to win La Liga in 5 consecutive seasons. His streak began just 3 seasons after he was still playing at the Bernabeu.

He won 9 domestic championships, 2 Copa del Rey -the Generalisimo at the time-, 2 European Cups -the Champions League before the change of format- and an Intercontinental Cup -which pitted the European champion against the Libertadores champion-. The total balance, 14, warns that there is plenty of room for his present counterparts to surpass him if they continue at this rate, especially with the Italian one in mind.

Recently renewed until 2026 and with the conviction that this will be the last bench of his career, 'Carletto' is in serious contention to climb to the top of the list of strategists with the most trophies in Madrid's records. This will not rule out Zidane, who is 13 years younger and has never accepted an offer from a team other than Real Madrid. The possibility of him returning will always be on the horizon.