Top 7 coaches with the most Champions League trophies: Carlo Ancelotti outpaces the rest, Zidane and Guardiola trail his record

In recent years, the coaches who have won the Champions League have been familiar names such as Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, and most recently, Luis Enrique. As a result, the list of coaches with the most Champions League titles in history has changed significantly. In this article, nowgoalpro.net lists the top seven coaches with the most Champions League trophies.

Who is the coach with the most Champions League trophies?

As of the 2025/26 season, Carlo Ancelotti is the coach with the most titles in history, with five trophies, including two with AC Milan and three with Real Madrid. Ancelotti's first two victories came in 2003 and 2007, when he led a star-studded team that included Paolo Maldini, Pirlo, and Kaka to victory. He also finished second in 2005, when Liverpool came from behind in the final.

At Real Madrid, he helped the club achieve their dream of La Decima, bringing them their 10th Champions League title in 2014. After that, he managed several other teams before returning to Real Madrid in 2021. In 2022, he led the team to victory after a series of comebacks against PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City, and finally Liverpool in the final. Two years later, he won the club’s 15th title, which remains their most recent Champions League triumph.

Top seven coaches with the most Champions League trophies

Next on the list are three coaches who have each won three titles. First is Zinedine Zidane, the only coach in history to win the Champions League three times in a row, from 2016 to 2018. During those three years, he was almost unbeaten in the knockout rounds and maintained a perfect record in Champions League finals.

During this period, Real Madrid had a star-studded squad featuring the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Benzema, and Bale, along with key players such as Modric and Ramos. However, Zidane still managed the dressing room effectively and created the best conditions for his players to perform at their highest level.

Next is Pep Guardiola, the renowned coach who won two Champions League titles with Barcelona and one with Manchester City. In his first two triumphs, he used the tiki-taka style of play, which attracted global attention with its quick and precise passing, built around Lionel Messi. Notably, in both finals, he defeated Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, showing his tactical superiority.

Unlike Zidane, Pep Guardiola is known for his strong tactical approach. He adapts well to different situations and makes bold changes. At Barcelona, he deployed Lionel Messi as a “false nine,” using his movement to disrupt defensive systems. At Manchester City, when the team lacked options in midfield, Guardiola moved John Stones into a more advanced role, helping the club win their first Champions League title.

Finally, Bob Paisley was another manager to win three Champions League titles and one of the few to lift the trophy with only one club: Liverpool. In 1977, he led Liverpool to a 3-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach to secure their first European Cup title. One year later, Liverpool defended their title with a 1-0 win over Club Brugge.

In 1981, he completed his third triumph by defeating Real Madrid 1-0. That match remains Real Madrid’s last defeat in a European Cup or Champions League final to this day. Paisley favored a practical approach and promoted a technical “pass and move” style, which helped Liverpool succeed in Europe.

After these three names, several other coaches have won two Champions League titles, including Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, and most recently, Luis Enrique. Sir Alex Ferguson is considered one of the greatest coaches in football history, but he won the Champions League twice, in 1999 and 2008. In 1999, Manchester United came from behind to beat Bayern Munich, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scoring the decisive goal. In 2008, United defeated Chelsea in a penalty shootout. Ferguson’s strengths were his leadership, his ability to manage players, and his adaptability.

Jose Mourinho is known for his defensive approach and has won the Champions League twice. He first lifted the trophy with Porto in 2004, in a campaign widely seen as remarkable because they overcame many stronger teams. Six years later, he led Inter Milan to victory over Bayern Munich after eliminating Barcelona in the semifinals, completing a historic treble. Mourinho’s counter-attacking style, which allows opponents to keep possession before striking quickly on the break, has brought him many major titles.

Finally, the most recent coach to win two Champions League titles is Luis Enrique. His first triumph came in 2015 with a Barcelona squad that included Neymar, Suarez, and Messi. Ten years later, he led a team featuring Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, and Vitinha to another Champions League title. As a Spanish coach, Enrique has been influenced by the tiki-taka style and high pressing. However, he also emphasizes quick forward play, allowing fast attackers to create and finish chances. As a result, his teams are known for their strong attacking power, and he has joined the group of coaches with multiple Champions League titles.

Top five coaches with the most Champions League trophies

1. Carlo Ancelotti - 5 titles (AC Milan, Real Madrid CF)

2. Bob Paisley - 3 titles (Liverpool FC)

3. Zinedine Zidane - 3 titles (Real Madrid CF)

4. Pep Guardiola - 3 titles (FC Barcelona, Manchester City FC)

5. Sir Alex Ferguson - 2 titles (Manchester United FC)

6. José Mourinho - 2 titles (FC Porto, Inter Milan)

7. Luis Enrique - 1 title (FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain)

NowGoal Pro has compiled a list of the coaches with the most Champions League trophies in history. This ranking may change in the future, but these are the most outstanding names the competition has seen. To follow more football updates, including Champions League predictions, please visit our page.