Carlo Ancelotti Named the ‘Most Professional Player’ He Ever Trained

Carlo Ancelotti is undoubtedly one of the best managers in football history. His immense and glorious career, marked by no fewer than 30 trophies, makes this inarguable. The Italian’s coaching adventure began in 1995, three years after he hung up his boots, and has taken him to the benches of some of the world’s most prestigious clubs.

From AC Milan to Paris Saint-Germain, from Real Madrid to Chelsea, via Bayern Munich, ‘Don Carlo’ has seen it all. His experiences have been as diverse as they have varied, and have led him to rub shoulders with some of the world’s greatest football players, and even some of the greatest in the history of the game.

And while some have distinguished themselves, in the eyes of the former midfielder, through their personal exploits, others have done so through their collective contribution and professionalism. And one of them has left a very special mark on the memory of the Italian technician.

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Some managers could not stop winning trophies in their career from Sir Alex Ferguson to Luiz Felipe Scolari to Valeriy Lobanovskyi.

Carlo Ancelotti Named Philipp Lahm as the Most Professional Player he Worked With

As Ancelotti told ESPN in an interview in 2017, Philipp Lahm is the ‘most professional’ footballer he ever worked with. The former Germany international (113 caps, five goals) worked alongside the Italian coach during his time in Bavaria. Ancelotti explained:

“He (Lahm) never complains and has never had a problem. He’s a great example for the others. He’s the most professional player I have ever trained. If I had 20 Philipp Lahm’s I would have no problems.”

Strong words from a coach who, during his career, has had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Andrea Pirlo, Paolo Maldini, Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry. But Lahm was different.

Where Does Lahm Stand Among the Great Right-Backs?

His place is certainly not far from the top

After all, as well as being a formidable professional – perhaps the greatest of all time – Lahm was above all a world-class player. His talent was such that he was – and still is – considered one of the greatest right-backs in football history. His career speaks for itself. Capped 113 times by the Mannschaft, he also wore the colours of Bayern Munich 517 times.

A club where he spent almost his entire career, and which he captained to national and international glory. A combination of factors that, over the years, have enabled him to establish his name alongside the greatest German players of all time.