Coaches With Most Trophies in Football History: Some coaches in football have won a lot of trophies during their careers. They’ve been very successful, winning championships in different types of competitions, like local leagues and international events. People remember their teams for being really good, playing well, and winning a lot.
Coaches With Most Trophies in Football History
Here are the 10 coaches who have won the most trophies in football history:
10. Giovanni Trapattoni (22 titles)
Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni has a remarkable career with high success and numerous titles. However, his most exceptional achievements came during his time with Juventus, where he won six Serie A championships, one Champions League title, and two UEFA Cups, among other honors. Interestingly, he also secured some of these titles while coaching his long-time rival, Inter Milan.
Trapattoni is also well-remembered in Germany for winning the Bundesliga and the League Cup. What sets him apart is his unique achievement of winning league championships in four different European countries.
Furthermore, he has a remarkable record of lifting the European Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup both as a player and as a coach.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(Juventus) | – |
Serie A | 6x 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1985–86 |
Coppa Italia | 2x 1978–79, 1982–83 |
European Cup | 1x 1984–85 |
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup | 1x 1983–84 |
UEFA Cup | 2x 1976–77, 1992–93 |
European Super Cup | 1x 1984 |
Intercontinental Cup | 1x 1985 |
(Inter) | – |
Serie A | 1x 1988–89 |
Supercoppa Italiana | 1x 1989 |
UEFA Cup | 1x 1990–91 |
(Bayern Munich) | – |
Bundesliga | 1x 1996–97 |
DFB-Pokal | 1x 1997–98 |
DFB-Ligapokal | 1x 1997 |
(Benfica) | – |
Primeira Liga | 1x 2004–05 |
Red Bull Salzburg | – |
Austrian Bundesliga | 1x 2006–07 |
International | – |
Republic of Ireland | 1x 2011 |
TOTAL | 22 |
9. Luiz Felipe Scolari (24 Titles)
Felipe Scolari, also known as ‘Felipao,’ started his coaching career in Brazil back in 1982. He managed various teams, including Gremio de Porto Alegre and Palmeiras, and achieved success by winning two Copa Libertadores titles. Scolari is known for his ability to adapt, as he also coached in countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, and even Uzbekistan.
In addition to club coaching, ‘Felipao’ has directed some of the world’s most prominent national teams. He led the Brazilian national team to victory in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. He also took charge of the Portugal national team, which reached the final of the European Championship but lost to Greece. Additionally, Portugal made it to the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany under his guidance.
Scolari’s European adventure included a stint with Chelsea during the 2008-2009 season. However, he was dismissed from his position within a year due to the demands of the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(Al Qadisiya) | |
Kuwait Emir Cup | 1x 1989 |
Criciúma | |
Copa do Brasil | 1x 1991 |
(Grêmio) | |
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | 1x 1996 |
Copa do Brasil | 1x 1994 |
Copa Libertadores | 1x 1995 |
Recopa Sudamericana | 1x 1996 |
(Palmeiras) | |
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | 1x 2018 |
Copa do Brasil | 2x 1998, 2012 |
Copa Mercosur | 1x 1998 |
Copa Libertadores | 1x 1999 |
Torneio Rio-São Paulo | 1x 2000 |
(Cruzeiro) | |
Copa Sul-Minas | 1x 2001 |
Bunyodkor | |
Uzbek League | 1x 2009 |
(Guangzhou Evergrande) | |
Chinese Super League | 3x 2015, 2016, 2017 |
AFC Champions League | 1x 2015 |
Chinese FA Cup | 1x 2016 |
Chinese FA Super Cup | 2x 2016, 2017 |
International | |
(Kuwait) | |
Arabian Gulf Cup | 1x 1990 |
(Brazil) | |
FIFA World Cup | 1x 2002 |
FIFA Confederations Cup | 1x 2013 |
TOTAL | 24 |
8. Ottmar Hitzfeld (25 Titles)
Ottmar Hitzfeld retired as one of the most successful soccer coaches in history in 2014, and his coaching journey began with several Swiss clubs. He had a deep understanding of Swiss football from his time as a player. He managed three Swiss clubs: FC Zug, FC Aarau, and Grasshopper.
Hitzfeld then returned to his home country, Germany, to lead Borussia Dortmund. One of the highlights of his tenure was reaching the 1997 Champions League final, where Dortmund faced Juventus.
After Dortmund, Hitzfeld moved to Bayern Munich, where he continued to achieve championship success until 2004. In 2001, Bayern Munich secured the Champions League title in a memorable match against Valencia.
Hitzfeld initially retired from coaching and worked in television. However, he made a comeback to coaching in 2007, returning to lead Bayern Munich. In 2008, he was selected to manage the Swiss national team and guided them to two FIFA World Cup appearances.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(SC Zug) | |
Nationalliga B champions | 1x 1983–84 |
(Aarau) | |
Swiss Cup | 1x 1985 |
(Grasshopper) | |
Swiss Super League | 2x 1989–90, 1990–91 |
Swiss Cup | 2x 1988–89, 1989–90 |
Swiss Super Cup | 1x 1989 |
(Borussia Dortmund) | |
Bundesliga | 2x 1994–95, 1995–96 |
DFB-Supercup | 2x 1995, 1996 |
UEFA Champions League | 1x 1996–97 |
(Bayern Munich) | |
Bundesliga | 5x 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2007–08 |
DFB-Pokal | 3x 1999–2000, 2002–03, 2007–08 |
DFB-Ligapokal | 4x 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007 |
UEFA Champions League | 1x 2000–01 |
Intercontinental Cup | 1x 2001 |
TOTAL | 25 |
7. Carlo Ancelotti (25 titles)
Carlo Ancelotti, a former great player, has also become one of the best soccer coaches in history. He was a skilled midfielder and helped AS Rome and AC Milan win many important trophies, like the Serie A twice and the Champions League twice with Milan. Ancelotti also played for Italy in 26 matches and was part of the 1990 World Cup.
But his coaching career is even more impressive. Carlo Ancelotti has managed some of the biggest clubs globally, including Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. As a coach, he won the five biggest European leagues: Serie A with Milan, the Premier League with Chelsea, Ligue 1 with PSG, La Liga with Madrid, and the Bundesliga with Munich.
Ancelotti also achieved success in the Champions League, winning it four times as a coach, twice with AC Milan and twice with Real Madrid. His third Champions League win with Real Madrid in 2014 was significant because the club had been waiting for their 10th title for 12 years. After coaching Napoli and Everton, Carlo Ancelotti is now back as the coach of Real Madrid.
Some people may downplay Ancelotti’s career, arguing that he always coached top teams. However, it’s important to remember that most successful coaches also work with strong teams. Titles are typically won by talented teams, after all.
What no one can criticize Ancelotti for is his ability to bring out the best in his teams as a manager. He unites teams, fosters trust in their abilities and ensures that star players are respected. Ancelotti’s impressive trophy collection speaks to his coaching prowess, making him one of the top 10 coaches with the most soccer titles in history.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(Juventus) | – |
UEFA Intertoto Cup | 1x 1999 |
(AC Milan) | – |
Serie A | 1x 2003–04 |
Coppa Italia | 1x 2002–03 |
Supercoppa Italiana | 1x 2004 |
UEFA Champions League | 2x 2002–03, 2006–07 |
UEFA Super Cup | 1x 2003, 2007 |
FIFA Club World Cup | 1x 2007 |
(Chelsea) | – |
Premier League | 1x 2009–10 |
FA Cup | 1x 2009–10 |
FA Community Shield | 1x 2009 |
(Paris Saint-Germain) | – |
Ligue 1 | 1x 2012–13 |
(Real Madrid) | – |
La Liga | 1x 2021–22 |
Copa del Rey | 2x 2013–14, 2022–23 |
Supercopa de España | 1x 2021–22 |
UEFA Champions League | 2x 2013–14, 2021–22 |
UEFA Super Cup | 2x 2014, 2022 |
FIFA Club World Cup | 2x 2014, 2022 |
(Bayern Munich) | – |
Bundesliga | 1x 2016–17 |
DFL-Supercup | 2x 2016, 2017 |
TOTAL | 25 |
6. Jose Mourinho (26 Titles)
One of the top six coaches with the most football titles in history is José Mourinho, known as ‘Mou.’ He achieved this remarkable feat by succeeding in various countries and competitions.
Mourinho’s journey in football began as an interpreter for Sir Bobby Robson during his time as a strategist for FC Barcelona. He took on the role of a head coach in 2000, starting at Benfica, then moving to Leiria, and finally landing at Porto in 2002. It was at Porto where he gained fame for his deep understanding of his team and his ability to analyze opponents, leading them to victory in the Champions League against AS Monaco in 2004.
Mourinho then managed Chelsea in the English Premier League, competing against formidable rivals like Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. Despite this tough competition, he won two Premier League titles with Chelsea.
His career path then took him to Italy, where he joined Inter Milan. There, he aimed to achieve success in European competitions and did so by winning the UEFA Champions League (often called ‘Orejona’) against Bayern Munich.
In 2010, Mourinho became a sensation in the football world due to his strong character, disciplined approach, and impressive results from his previous stints at Porto, London, and Milan. He then took on the challenging role of managing Real Madrid, which led to intense rivalries and controversies, especially with Barcelona.
Mourinho’s coaching journey eventually concluded in England, where he managed Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham. Throughout his career, he amassed an impressive collection of titles and left a lasting impact on the football world.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(Porto) | – |
Primeira Liga | 2x 2002–03, 2003–04 |
Taça de Portugal | 1x 2002–03 |
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira | 1x 2003 |
UEFA Champions League | 1x 2003–04 |
UEFA Cup | 1x 2002–03 |
(Chelsea) | – |
Premier League | 3x 2004–05, 2005–06, 2014–15 |
FA Cup | 1x 2006–07 |
Football League Cup | 3x 2004–05, 2006–07, 2014–15 |
FA Community Shield | 1x 2005 |
(Inter Milan) | – |
Serie A | 2x 2008–09, 2009–10 |
Coppa Italia | 1x 2009–10 |
Supercoppa Italiana | 1x 2008 |
UEFA Champions League | 1x 2009–10 |
(Real Madrid) | – |
La Liga | 1x 2011–12 |
Copa del Rey | 1x 2010–11 |
Supercopa de España | 1x 2012 |
(Manchester United) | – |
EFL Cup | 1x 2016–17 |
FA Community Shield | 1x 2016 |
UEFA Europa League | 1x 2016–17 |
Roma) | – |
UEFA Europa Conference League | 1x 2021–22 |
TOTAL | 26 |
5. Valery Lobanovsky (37 Titles)
Valery Lobanovsky was a Ukrainian football manager who is highly regarded as one of the most influential managers ever. He achieved an impressive total of 37 trophies during his managerial career, including the European Cup Winners’ Cup, 8 Soviet Top League titles, 6 Soviet Cups, and 3 Soviet Super Cups.
At the young age of 29, Lobanovsky began his coaching career with the Dnieper, a second-division Ukrainian team. In just three seasons, he helped the Dnieper climb to the top division, and in 1973, they achieved a commendable sixth-place finish, earning recognition in Ukrainian football.
Known as “The General,” Lobanovsky later took charge of Dynamo Kiev and played a significant role in the transition from the USSR to independent national teams. He is considered a revolutionary in the world of football due to his innovative training methods. His coaching philosophy can be summed up by the phrase, “The matches may be forgotten, but the results endure.”
Lobanovsky retired from coaching in 1990 but remains an enduring figure in football history. His remarkable achievements with Dynamo Kyiv are unmatched, and he continues to be celebrated as one of the most influential football managers of all time.
(Club) Competition | Year(s) Won / Achievements |
---|---|
(Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk) | – |
Soviet First League | 1x 1971 |
(Dynamo Kyiv) | – |
Soviet Top League | 8x 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1990 |
Soviet Cup | 6x 1974, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1990 |
Soviet Super Cup | 3x 1980, 1985, 1986 |
Dynamo Games of the USSR | 1x 1987 |
Ukrainian National League | 5x 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
Ukrainian Cup | 3x 1998, 1999, 2000 |
European Cup Winners’ Cup | 2x 1975, 1986 |
European Super Cup | 1x 1975; Runner-up: 1986 |
Commonwealth of Independent States Cup | 3x 1997, 1998, 2002 |
(Soviet Union) | – |
Summer Olympic Games Bronze Medal | 1x 1976 |
(Ukrainian SSR) | – |
Spartakiad of Peoples Bronze Medal | 1x 1979 |
(Kuwait) | – |
Asian Games Bronze Medal | 1x 1994 |
Gulf Cup of Nations | 1x 1996 |
TOTAL | 37 |
4. Pep Guardiola (37 titles)
Pep Guardiola is a famous and highly respected coach in football today. He is known for his style of play, which emphasizes ball possession. Alongside Carlo Ancelotti, he is one of the only active coaches with an impressive track record.
Guardiola was also a prominent player for Barcelona, where he won six La Liga titles and a Champions League. He represented the Spanish national team 47 times during his career.
As a coach, Guardiola made a significant impact by transforming the Barcelona team. He revamped the squad by letting go of players like Ronaldinho and Deco and promoting young talents from La Masía, Barcelona’s youth academy. This generation, under Guardiola’s guidance, achieved great success, including winning the Champions League twice against Manchester United in 2009 and 2011.
While it’s true that Guardiola had the privilege of coaching Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers in history, he also demonstrated his coaching style at Bayern Munich in 2013. There, he had players like Robben and Ribery, and he introduced innovative tactics, including using full-backs in central positions.
Guardiola is renowned for his coaching style, known as “tiki-taka.” In his first season at Barcelona, he achieved an incredible feat by winning all six possible trophies. He also became the youngest manager to win a Champions League. During his four seasons at Barcelona, he won La Liga three times, the Copa del Rey twice, and the Champions League twice.
After his time at Bayern Munich, Guardiola moved to Manchester City in England. In his first full season, he won the Premier League with a record-breaking 100 points. The following year, he achieved another historic milestone by winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup in the same season, a first in English football.
Guardiola’s coaching abilities are unquestionable, and he is often considered the heir to Johan Cruyff’s Dutch football style. Many regard him as one of the best coaches in football history, if not among the top four without debate.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(Barcelona B) | – |
Tercera División | 1x 2007–08 |
(Barcelona) | – |
La Liga | 3x 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11 |
Copa del Rey | 2x 2008–09, 2011–12 |
Supercopa de España | 3x 2009, 2010, 2011 |
UEFA Champions League | 2x 2008–09, 2010–11 |
UEFA Super Cup | 2x 2009, 2011 |
FIFA Club World Cup | 2x 2009, 2011 |
(Bayern Munich) | – |
Bundesliga | 3x 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
DFB-Pokal | 2x 2013–14, 2015–16 |
UEFA Super Cup | 1x 2013 |
FIFA Club World Cup | 1x 2013 |
(Manchester City) | – |
Premier League | 5x 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23 |
FA Cup | 2 2018–19, 2022–23 |
EFL Cup | 4x 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21 |
FA Community Shield | 2x 2018, 2019 |
UEFA Champions League | 1x 2022–23 |
UEFA Super Cup | 1x 2023 |
TOTAL | 37 |
3. Mircea Lucescu (38 Titles)
Mircea Lucescu is a Romanian football coach who is still actively coaching at the age of 75. He currently works with Dynamo Kyiv in Russia. Before that, he had coaching roles in various clubs, including Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana, and Inter Milan. However, he is most famous for his achievements with Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk.
A notable fact about Lucescu is that he was the first player-coach in Romanian football history when he took charge of Corvinul Hunedoara during the 1978/79 season. He achieved remarkable results during this time and helped develop several talented players who later became international footballers.
Lucescu also had a stint as the coach of the Romanian national team. He took over in 1981 and led the team in various competitions, including the 1984 European Football Championship. However, Romania did not qualify for the 1986 World Cup under his coaching.
In club coaching, he returned to Dinamo Bucharest in 1985, where he had previously played, and won both the championship and the cup in the 1989/90 season.
He then coached in Italy, taking over clubs like SC Pisa and Brescia Calcio. He achieved promotion to Serie A with Brescia but also faced relegation in subsequent seasons. He briefly coached AC Reggiana in Serie A before returning to Romania.
Back in Romania, he had successful spells with Rapid Bucharest and Inter Milan. He reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan in 1999.
Lucescu also had coaching stints in Turkey, winning titles with Galatasaray Istanbul and Beşiktaş Istanbul. In 2004, he took over Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine and enjoyed significant success, winning numerous league titles and the 2009 UEFA Cup.
Throughout his career, Lucescu faced health challenges, including a heart attack and a car accident. He later coached Zenit St. Petersburg and, in 2020, became the head coach at Dynamo Kiev. There was a brief controversy when he resigned but then continued in his role due to misunderstandings with the club’s president.
He also briefly coached the Turkish national football team in 2017, succeeding Fatih Terim, but was later dismissed in 2019.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(Corvinul Hunedoara) | |
Divizia B | 1x 1979–80 |
(Dinamo București) | |
Divizia A | 1x 1989–90 |
Cupa României | 2x 1985–86, 1989–90 |
(Brescia) | |
Serie B | 1x 1991–92 |
Anglo-Italian Cup | 1x 1993–94 |
(Rapid București) | |
Divizia A | 1x 1998–99 |
Cupa României | 1x 1997–98 |
Supercupa României | 1x 1999 |
(Galatasaray) | |
Süper Lig | 1x 2001–02 |
UEFA Super Cup | 1x 2000 |
(Beşiktaş) | |
Süper Lig | 1x 2002–03 |
(Shakhtar Donetsk) | |
Ukrainian Premier League | 8x 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14 |
Ukrainian Cup | 6x 2003–04, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2015–16 |
Ukrainian Super Cup | 7x 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
UEFA Cup | 1x 2008–09 |
(Zenit Saint Petersburg) | |
Russian Super Cup | 1x 2016 |
(Dynamo Kyiv) | |
Ukrainian Premier League | 1x 2020–21 |
Ukrainian Cup | 1x 2020–21 |
Ukrainian Super Cup | 1x 2020 |
TOTAL | 38 |
2. Jock Stein (38 Titles)
Jock Stein is unique among the top 10 coaches with the most soccer titles because he won all his trophies with one club. He was a Scottish coach known for his success at Celtic in Glasgow. During his 12 seasons with the club from 1964 to 1977, he won more than 20 titles.
One of their most significant achievements was winning the European Cup in 1967 by defeating Inter Milan, who were a strong team at that time and led by the Spanish coach Helenio Herrera.
Later, Jock Stein became the coach of the Scottish national team and led them to the 1986 World Cup, although tragically, he suffered a heart attack during a qualifying match against Wales.
His coaching legacy was highly regarded, and his assistant coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, who later became the face of Manchester United for many years, recognized and continued his legacy.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(Dunfermline Athletic) | |
Scottish Cup | 1x 1960–61 |
Fife Cup | 3x 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63 |
Penman Cup | 1x 1959–60 |
(Hibernian) | |
Summer Cup | 1x 1963–64 |
(Celtic) | |
European Cup | 1x 1966–67 |
Scottish League Championship | 10x 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1976–77 |
Scottish Cup | 8x 1964–65, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77 |
Scottish League Cup | 6x 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1974–75 |
Drybrough Cup | 1x 1974 |
Glasgow Cup | 5x 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1974–75 |
(Scotland) | |
Rous Cup | 1x 1985 |
TOTAL | 38 |
1. Sir Alex Ferguson (51 Titles)
Sir Alex Ferguson is a very successful football coach, especially known for his time at Manchester United. Before him, another famous coach at Manchester United was Matt Busby, and they had notable players like Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, and George Best.
Sir Alex Ferguson used to be a football player, but he didn’t win any major titles during his playing career. However, he became famous for his coaching career.
Before managing Manchester United, he coached various Scottish clubs, including Aberdeen FC. At Aberdeen, he achieved significant success by winning the Scottish championship three times, which was unusual because Celtic and Rangers usually won it.
Ferguson also won the Scottish Cup four times and the Cup Winners’ Cup, beating Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the final.
However, his most iconic coaching stint was at Manchester United, where he stayed from 1986 to 2013, a record-breaking tenure. During this time, he won the English championship 13 times, the FA Cup 5 times, and the League Cup 4 times. Manchester United also won the European Cup in 1991 and the Champions League in 1999 and 2008. One of his best teams was in 2008, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Carlos Tévez. They defeated Chelsea to win another Champions League.
His long and successful career at one of Europe’s top clubs makes him one of the greatest football managers ever.
(Club) Competition | No. of Titles (Year Won) |
---|---|
(St Mirren) | – |
Scottish First Division | 1x 1976–77 |
(Aberdeen) | – |
Scottish Premier Division | 3x 1979–80, 1983–84, 1984–85 |
Scottish Cup | 4x 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86 |
Scottish League Cup | 1x 1985–86 |
Drybrough Cup | 1x 1980 |
European Cup Winners’ Cup | 1x 1982–83 |
European Super Cup | 1x 1983 |
(Manchester United) | – |
Premier League | 13x 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13 |
FA Cup | 5x 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04 |
Football League Cup | 4x 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10 |
FA Charity/Community Shield | 10x 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 |
UEFA Champions League | 3x 1998–99, 2007–08, 2010–11 |
European Cup Winners’ Cup | 1x 1990–91 |
European Super Cup | 1x 1991 |
Intercontinental Cup | 1x 1999 |
FIFA Club World Cup | 1x 2008 |
TOTAL | 51 |