Carlo Ancelotti's Unmatched Double Win

Carlo Ancelotti, the esteemed manager of Real Madrid, has been honored with FIFA's The Best award, recognizing him as the top coach of the year.

In a ceremony held in Doha, FIFA unveiled the best of 2024, with the Italian tactician surpassing competitors such as Luis de la Fuente, Pep Guardiola, Xabi Alonso, and Lionel Scaloni to claim the prestigious title.

The collective votes from players, coaches, journalists, and fans worldwide propelled Ancelotti to this accolade. Additionally, he received the inaugural Johan Cruyff award from France Football, making him the first coach to secure both honors within a single year.

This remarkable year saw Ancelotti lead Real Madrid to four major titles: La Liga, the UEFA Champions League (securing his fifth European club title), the UEFA Super Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup. There's potential for a fifth, with the upcoming Intercontinental Cup match against Pachuca.

Notably, Xabi Alonso, in his debut season with Bayer Leverkusen, clinched the Bundesliga title and finished second in the voting, ahead of seasoned managers like Guardiola. This achievement underscores Alonso's immediate impact in top-tier football management.

Ancelotti's recent accolades add to his illustrious career, echoing his 2022 triumphs when UEFA named him Coach of the Year, complemented by honors from the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) and the Globe Soccer Awards. Despite his extensive list of achievements, such widespread recognition has been rare, making this dual honor particularly significant.