Former Bayern Munich star Javi Martinez explains the difference between his former coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, who meet in the Champions League semi-finals tonight.
Ancelotti’s Madrid visit Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semis tonight. The Italian tactician has become the only coach to reach the European top four in four decades, while Guardiola targets the second Champions League Final in a row.
“To me, they are the best representatives of their generations. Of all Ancelotti’s colleagues, no one is left in business now. Pep is the best coach of this generation, including Luis Enrique, Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Klopp. People who have changed football. They are all very different from Ancelotti,” the former Spain international told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Martinez, 33, is under contract with Qatar SC and has worked with both coaches at Bayern Munich. He played 42 games under Ancelotti and 64 with Guardiola in charge.
“Guardiola has a unique way of analysing football. He can foresee what happens on the pitch,” he said.
“You play knowing what you have to do and what the opposing team will do. It’s a huge advantage. Add his tactics and pressing schemes and Pep becomes almost unbeatable.
“I had a close bond with him because we speak the same language, but the rapport with Carlo was different. He is like a father, he cares so much about his players. Pep is more rigid and more focused on video analysis, but a team needs discipline. Pep had more control than Carlo, nothing huge, but it was noticeable.”
Bayern and Napoli sacked Ancelotti before his spell at Everton. Many were surprised to see him return to Madrid last summer, but the former Milan coach is close to winning the La Liga for the first time.
He would become the first coach to win titles in Spain, France, England, Germany and Italy.
“The fact that Carlo is still there, fighting for a big target, elevates him to the Olympus of the history of football, it says a lot about how great he is and how well he works,” said Martinez.
“He is a smart coach, he perfectly knows football. He returned to Madrid, giving a new life to a team that had lost Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane after Ronaldo. People were sceptical, but he is close to winning La Liga and has reached the Champions League semis.
“Carlo knows what teams need. When I am asked who is the best coach in the world, I always say Guardiola, but for a player, it’s important to work with coaches who know how to get the best out of you and I’ve never felt as good as under Carlo. Not only in footballing terms but also personally. I believe he is the best of all.”
His son Davide has become his assistant, how helpful is he?
“A lot, football changes continuously. The evolution process never stops and it is more difficult to adapt for older coaches. Davide completes Carlo and helps him understand the evolution of football. Davide is incredible: prepared, serious, a great person, like his father.”