14
GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI
Seven men have won the European
Cup as a player and manager. Miguel
Munoz was first, followed in 1985 by Serie
A’s most successful coach in history.
Trapattoni’s seven titles with Juventus and
Inter are unrivalled, and he delivered
European success to both. With Juve he also
lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup and two UEFA
trinkets, while his Inter charges won the
latter in 1991. Ultimately, a 39-year legacy –
including titles in Germany, Portugal and
Austria – will be judged on all that glitters.13
MARCELO LIPPI
After Fabio Grosso netted
the winning penalty for Italy
against France in the 2006 World
Cup final, Lippi didn’t jump for joy. “I turned to
the bench, took off my glasses, picked up the
pouch, undid the zip, put the glasses in... and
then started celebrating,” he said. He’d learned
a lesson: in 1996, the Tuscan was a Champions
League winner with Juventus – but his specs
suffered. Lippi landed five league titles in Turin,
and another three at Guangzhou Evergrande.12
JOSE MOURINHO
Love him or loathe him, Jose’s impact
on football has been outstanding
since he burst onto the scene as Porto boss
in 2003. His pair of Champions League
successes were achieved with the
Portuguese dark horses and Inter; both
absolute masterclasses in coaching and
man-management. He revamped Chelsea in
his image, turning the Blues into a dominant
force that won the title leaking only 15 goals
in 2004-05. Charismatic, petulant,
demanding and ambitious, Mourinho has
sealed 20 major titles in as many years as a
manager. Winner.15 VICEn TE DEL BOSQUE
“A leader is admired – a boss is feared.”
In Vicente del Bosque’s case, he chose the
path that didn’t require burning everything in
sight. As a player, the Spaniard had spent
the entirety of his playing days at the
Bernabeu (loans aside) as a midfielder
during the ’70s, acting as a humble screen
for his defence.
It was Del Bosque’s way to serve – first to
his club, before taking the reins
internationally and dominating the world
game with Spain. The Salamanca man was
in charge for two golden ages: the first, Real
Madrid’s galactico marketing project; a
Hollywood era for the club that aimed to
repeat their glorious ’50s. The second was
leading the most talented group of players
that Spain has ever produced; a split of Barça
and Madrid celebrities that the manager
melded into a monstrous machine.
Del Bosque was loved as a manager.
Having helped bring through the likes of
Guti and Raul into the first team at Madrid,
he stepped back from all the transfer
madness that ushered in Zinedine Zidane
and Ronaldo from Juventus and Inter
respectively. He simply worked with
whichever stars he was granted, winning
two league titles and two Champions
Leagues in the space of four seasons.
Del Bosque’s mindset was to seek balance,
even among egos. For every Luis Figo or
Zizou, a Fernando Redondo or Claude
Makelele; for every Xavi or David Villa, a
Sergio Busquets or Xabi Alonso. Although far
from negative, Del Bosque covered for the
attacking talents in his side with a stable
base; he opted for a back three to beat
Valencia in the 2000 Champions League
final, and selected a double-pivot of holders
when Spain won the 2010 World Cup.
Critics who called it easy have since eaten
their words. Barcelona have eclipsed Madrid
in La Liga since Del Bosque’s days; Spain,
too, suffered a decline after winning their
third straight tournament at Euro 2012,
although Del Bosque was at the helm in 2014
and 2016.
At the Bernabeu, it took Zidane to replicate
the same kind of success. He copied the old
master’s penchant for balance – Casemiro as
the forwards’ foil – and dealt with any egos
in a way that few others could. The
Frenchman is a Champions League trophy
up on his old manager, but Del Bosque has
the World Cup.
What’s more, he was respected almost
unanimously throughout the journey. That’s
remarkable in society – let alone football.
Admired, but never feared. Just as he’d wish.30 The Managers FourFourTwo.com
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