Chelsea legend John Terry has spoken about how Carlo Ancelotti integrated his players in decision-making during his successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian tactician is one of the most successful managers in European football history, having won countless titles and trophies including the three Champions League trophies he won at AC Milan [twice] and Real Madrid.
But when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge in June 2009, the then Chelsea captain Terry said Ancelotti had a tough time before he changed his approach and became one of their most successful bosses.
Terry told The Coaches’ Voice: “What I really loved about Carlo [Ancelotti] is his man-management, the way he adapted as well – because he had a way of coaching that probably didn’t suit English football.
“But he adapted very quickly, when speaking to me, Frank [Lampard], Didier [Drogba], he wanted to pick our brains: ‘Is this too much of tactics for the players to do? Are we doing too much of this? I want to get the right balance.’
“I’ve never had a manager actually, in probably all my career, that asked the players and gave them a bit of responsibility.
“He made you feel the togetherness was incredible, and we went on to win some big things.”
Interestingly, looking back now, Ancelotti’s approach seems to be the polar opposite of Chelsea’s other two Italian managers, Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri, who were more rigid in their respective philosophies.
The former Milan manager led Chelsea to the Premier League title and the FA Cup in his first season in 2009/10 and Chelsea became the seventh English club to complete “the Double”.
Ancelotti’s team broke several records including most goals scored in a season (103 goals) and were arguably the most entertaining Chelsea side in Roman Abramovich’s era.
The following season, Chelsea led the league table for almost half a season before being overtaken by Manchester United.
Although Chelsea finished second, Ancelotti’s failure to deliver in the Champions League was deemed unacceptable by Abramovich, who was on the hunt for European glory.
Ancelotti was shown the exit door at the end of the season and was later succeeded by Andre Villas-Boas.