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Coaches

For a list of Milan coaches please see Milan Coaches

Ancelotti's 4-3-1-2 formation during the 2005/2006 season

Successful coaches in Milan's history include Gipo Viani, Nereo Rocco, Nils Liedholm, Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello and Carlo Ancelotti.

Under Nereo Rocco, Milan won several Scudetti along with two European Cups and a Cup Winners' Cup in 1968.

Silvio Berlusconi's purchase of the club in 1986 heralded a new period in the clubs history with Arrigo Sacchi being appointed Head Coach in 1987. The new Head Coach was an exponent of zonal marking, total football, along with pressure and speed on opponents when they had possession. The team would enter a new and exciting era that would transform the game not only in Italy but throughout the world. In his first season in charge Sacchi led Milan to the 1987/88 Serie A title. During the following two seasons Sacchi's Milan won back to back European Cups with a team considered to have been one of the greatest teams in football history, fielding players such as Baresi, Maldini, Rijkaard, Donadoni, Gullit & van Basten.

In the 1988/89 season, Milan ruled Europe, lifting the Champions Cup after knocking out Vitocha, Red Star Belgrade, Werder Breman and then Real Madrid in the semi-finals to reach the final against Steaua Bucarest. Over 100,000 spectators filled Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium to watch Milan run out 4-0 winners. With Sacchi in charge, the team won a league title, two Champions Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, two European Super Cups and one Italian League Super Cup. As much success with Milan as Sacchi had, a row involving him and Dutch striker, Marco Van Basten was to bring a quick end to his Milan career. Berlusconi decided that either Sacchi or Van Basten had to leave the club and in the end it was Sacchi who was fired.

With the end of the Sacchi era, Fabio Capello was installed as head coach in 1991. This was a golden period for AC Milan as Capello led his side (nicknamed the invincibles or immortals) to four Scudetti in five years, the highlight being an unbeaten season in 1991/1992. Capello also guided Milan to three straight appearances in the finals of the Champions League, including an incredible win over F.C. Barcelona in 1993-94. With key defenders Alessandro Costacurta and Franco Baresi suspended, Milan entered the match as underdogs against a fancied Barcelona side under the management of Johan Cruyff. In the most one sided final ever Dejan Savicevic ran riot as Milan eased to a 4-0 win, earning their fifth European Cup which entitled them to keep the trophy permanently.

Carlo Ancelotti is the current coach of AC Milan. He was a key midfielder in Arrigo Sacchi's all conquoring Milan side of the late 1980's. Ancelotti was appointed head coach at Milan in 2001. His arrival at the club heralded an upturn in results. Under Ancelotti's leadership, Milan won Serie A in 2003/2004 and have reached the champions league final three times in five years winning the Champions League in 2002/2003 and the clubs seventh Champions League victory in 2006/2007. Carlo Ancelotti generally prefers to play with either a 4-3-1-2 or a 4-3-2-1 formation. Ancelotti's current side are the reigning European Champions and can boast world superstars in their line up such as the captain Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Kaka and Ronaldo.