Share

Zidane into seventh Champions League heaven

Madrid - French football legend Zinedine Zidane became just the seventh man to win the Champions League as a player and a coach after Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid on penalties on Saturday.

Zidane masterminded a huge turnaround in Real's fortunes just five months into his first senior managerial role as he led the Spanish giants to their 11th European Cup after replacing the sacked Rafael Benitez in January.

His playing career at Real is also most fondly remembered for the sensational winning goal he struck to win the 2002 Champions League final against Bayern Leverkusen.

Here are the other six men to have experienced European glory as a player and a coach.

Miguel Munoz

Player: Real Madrid 1956, 1957

Coach: Real Madrid 1960, 1966

Munoz was a key figure as Real's love affair with the European Cup began at its inception in the 1950s.

He played in the side that won the first two of five consecutive titles. By that fifth triumph he had graduated to being the coach in one of the most memorable finals ever as Real thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 and was also in charge for Real's sixth European crown against Partizan Belgrade in 1966.

Giovanni Trapattoni

Player: AC Milan 1963, 1969

Coach: Juventus 1985

In contrast to his much-travelled career as a coach, Trapattoni spent almost his entire playing career at Milan and played his part in delivering the first two of the club's seven European Cups in 1963 and 1969.

His only victory in the competition as a coach came with Juventus in the 1985 final, which was overshadowed by the death of 39 people after crowd trouble preceding the game against Liverpool.

Johan Cruyff

Player: Ajax 1971, 1972, 1973

Coach: Barcelona 1992

The late, great Cruyff transformed the sport in both roles. Firstly, as a player he starred in the all-conquering Ajax side of the seventies with a revolutionary style known as "total football" where every player was capable of playing in various positions.

Two decades later, he brought the Ajax style focused on technical ability to Barcelona to win the Catalan giants first European Cup, 1-0 over Sampdoria at Wembley thanks to Ronald Koeman's free-kick.

Carlo Ancelotti

Player: AC Milan 1989, 1990

Coach: AC Milan 2003, 2007, Real Madrid 2014

A Champions League specialist, Ancelotti was part of the last team to retain the trophy as a player with Arrigo Sacchi's Milan in 1989 and 1990.

The Italian then became just the second coach to win the competition three times.

His Milan sides overcame Juventus on penalties in 2003 and bounced back from blowing a 3-0 lead over Liverpool in the 2005 final to beat the English side in a rematch in 2007.

And his crowning glory came in delivering Real Madrid's 10th title after a 12-year drought with a 4-1 win over Atletico in the first ever final between two sides from the same city in 2014.

Frank Rijkaard

Player: AC Milan 1989, 1990, Ajax 1995

Coach: Barcelona 2006

Rijkaard was another of Sacchi's soldiers at Milan before returning to his homeland to win Ajax's fourth European Cup in his last match as a player.

Like his compatriot Cruyff, Rijkaard then went on to succeed at Barca as they came from behind to beat 10-man Arsenal 2-1 in the 2006 final.

Pep Guardiola

Player: Barcelona 1992

Coach: Barcelona 2009, 2011

Cruyff's truest disciple, Guardiola was a midfield maestro in Barca's 'dream team' of the early nineties before creating his own side beyond anyone in Barcelona's dreams.

Led by the creative talents of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, Barca outclassed Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United 2-0 and 3-1 respectively in 2009 and 2011.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE