Carlo Ancelotti says he is not motivated by the prospect of drawing level with Bob Paisley on three European Cup wins.
Should the Italian guide Real Madrid to victory in tomorrow night’s Champions League final, he will become only the second tactician to have tasted victory in Europe’s premier club competition three times, alongside the Liverpool managerial icon.
Carlo Ancelotti says he is not motivated by the prospect of drawing level with Bob Paisley on three European Cup wins.
Should the Italian guide Real Madrid to victory in tomorrow night’s Champions League final, he will become only the second tactician to have tasted victory in Europe’s premier club competition three times, alongside the Liverpool managerial icon.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the former Milan boss also discussed the range of owners he has worked under at his different clubs and his time at Paris Saint Germain.
“Am I thinking about the record as motivation? No, it’s not a motivation but a reason to be proud,” said Ancelotti. “Paisley won three European Cups as a manager in ’77,’78 and ’81. I hope to pull level with him tomorrow evening.
“I am lucky, I’ve always had great Presidents to work with. Agnelli, Mr. Parmalat, Berlusconi, Abramovich, Qatar Investment Authority and now Perez. Silvio and Florentino are different from all the others but, because they grew up supporting the teams that they own, they give you more support.
“I decided to leave Paris when we went out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals. Everyone started complaining and I understood.
“It had been said to me that I would have to build something substantial up over time there. However, after just one year that changed and they started to only look at the results.”
Ancelotti was also asked about the 2005 Champions League final, which he lost to Liverpool as Rossoneri Coach after they were 3-0 up at half-time.
“The Istanbul final is the craziest. The first half was one of the best performances any of my teams has ever produced.
“Incredibly, after it went to 3-3 in the second half, we played well too. I often joke with Xabi Alonso during training about it. He looks at me and I say to him: ‘Hey, you have a cup that belongs to me!’”