The sport of football has seen a number of top players over the years. Meanwhile, it has also seen numerous managers who have attained success with football clubs or national sides.
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However, it is to be noted that not all top footballers go on to become successful managers, as both are two different areas of specialisation. Nonetheless, some notable ones have managed to find success as both. Consequently, we take a look at the ones who have won the prestigious UEFA Champions League (UCL), both as a player and manager.
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Carlo Ancelotti: The Italian manager played for a couple of top clubs in Italy as a midfielder. However, it was in AC Milan where he found the most significant success, winning the UCL on two occasions (1988–89 and 1989–90). Meanwhile, he was even more successful as a manager, as he achieved the same with the very club in 2002–03 and 2006–07, besides winning one with Real Madrid, in 2013–14. He currently manages Everton.
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Johan Cruyff: The Dutch was highly successful as a player, as he won three UCL titles with Ajax (1970–71, 1971–72 and 1972–73), playing as an attacking midfielder. Nonetheless, he did manage to win it as a manager too, in 1991–92, with Barcelona, which was his only UCL win in his managerial career.
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Miguel Munoz: The Spanish midfielder was a top hit at Madrid, winning three UCL titles with them in 1955–56, 1956–57 and 1957–58. Meanwhile, he even continued his streak as a manager, winning twice with the same club, in 1959–60 and 1965–66.
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Frank Rijkaard: Another Dutch footballer in the list, who had tremendous success with Ajax and Milan as a player, winning the UCL in 1988–89, 1989–90 (Milan) and 1994–95 (Ajax). As a manager, his successful reign came at Barcelona, where he won five titles, including the UCL in 2005–06.
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Giovanni Trapattoni: And, we have the second Italian in the list, as Giovanni Trapattoni, who played as a centre back, won the UCL twice with Milan, in 1962–63 and 1968–69. Although he has won several titles with the clubs he has managed, his most successful reign was at Juventus, where he won the UCL in 1984–85.
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Zinedine Zidane: The French forward is one of the most renowned footballers in the world, having won numerous titles as a player, including the UCL with Madrid in 2001–02. He is one of the only successful players to have become a great manager, as he won the UCL thrice as the same at the very club, in 2015–16, 2016–17 and 2017–18. He is in his second managerial reign at the club.
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Pep Guardiola: Another Spanish in the list, who is no stranger in the football world. He is famous for winning the UCL as a manager with Barcelona in 2008–09 and 2010–11. However, hardly does anyone know that the former defensive midfielder also won it as a player, in 1991–92, with the very club. He is currently managing Manchester City.
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