Maybe we underestimated Carlo Ancelotti's drip

Tonight, Real Madrid takes the field to face Bayern Munich: Carlo Ancelotti reunites with the Bavarian club he coached in the 2016/2017 season with the aim of adding yet another trophy to a palmares that would be an understatement to call rich. If the trophies earned over the course of a glorious coaching career have allowed him to consolidate his status with great merit, the same could be said about his way of dressing. Almost as if it were a well-planned choice, every garment worn on the benches of Parma, Juventus, Milan, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid - not to mention those of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Everton, and Napoli - has perfectly matched the role he played at a particular moment in his career. His coaching career began in the 1990s: Carlo Ancelotti made his mark in Serie A's top flight, landing on the Parma bench in the 1996/1997 season, achieving a remarkable second place and also securing a spot in the Champions League. Ancelotti's sporting feat was as grand as it was unexpected, given that he was, at the time, a true newcomer to the "big-time" football scene.

Ancelotti proved to be extremely adept at playing the part, sporting his first truly noteworthy look, opting for a freshman-at-an-Ivy-League-university style: snapback, suit, and regimental striped tie, masterfully coordinated with the colors of the cap - obviously the social colors of Parma. It's a simple yet impactful outfit, which may have provided inspiration to many coaches who have made the hat an essential accessory in their outfits: Jürgen Klopp, Aliou Cissé, and the latest on the list, Thiago Motta. Despite adopting a casual look often during his subsequent stint on the Juventus bench, wearing a blue tracksuit distinguished by Kappa's iconic band, the more formal looks started to tell us more about the kind of person Carlo Ancelotti is: serious, austere, and of few words. The suit worn during his time at Parma is now well tucked away in the wardrobe, in favor of monochromatic suits paired with brown shoes: the versatile style of the Reggiolo coach is almost metaphorical of the variety of the Bianconeri squad, which combined the elegance and audacity of Zinedine Zidane and Del Piero with the effectiveness of the Pitbull, Edgar Davids.

Carlo's age advances: he's over 40 when the doors of Milanello welcome him; football enters the full swing of the 2000s. A new football era begins, and clubs soon sign their first contracts with formal-wear partners. Consequently, the freedom with which coaches can express themselves diminishes year after year, and outfits become increasingly formal and standardized. There will be very few glimpses of Carlo Ancelotti in cozywear mode: since arriving at Milan - and then indulging in the charm of Europe's top clubs - his style changes definitively, opting for more comfortable uniforms only during the team's weekly training sessions. But then again, an elegant suit is needed to face the magical Champions League nights, which he became so fond of that he added a layer that soon became an iconic garment and symbol of Carlo Ancelotti - the blue cardigan. «When you watch Vito Corleone in ‘The Godfather,’ do you see a weak, quiet man or do you see a calm, powerful man in charge of his situation?» reads The Beautiful Game of an Ordinary Genius, Carlo Ancelotti's autobiography. Setting aside that Carlo Ancelotti's fascination with The Godfather may be extremely well-founded - just think of the family business with his son Davide - these words imply how Ancelotti has always been very careful in conveying his image.

To do this, he also relied on a sharp stylistic switch, which, in the football world, helped him earn the nickname "Don". In short, the clothes worn by Carlo Ancelotti have always been a magical tool to measure his aura; a true statement in continuous mutation that reached its peak during Real Madrid's parade celebrations for winning the 2021/2022 LaLiga edition. A famous shot depicts Vinicius Jr., Militão, Rodrygo, and Alaba with Ancelotti, wearing a pair of OFF-WHITE glasses and a cigar in his mouth: it's hard for the Don to surpass - or even match - what he did on that occasion, but Real holds the league title and is one step away from the Champions League final. All we can do is hope that Carlo Ancelotti can surpass himself once again, offering us a new look to add to the history books.