Contemporary soccer coaches need to combine various approaches, says Davide Ancelotti

Davide Ancelotti, a 36-year-old former Real Madrid assistant coach, emphasizes that modern football managers must combine various tactical approaches rather than adhering to a single rigid style, as he continues to refine his own philosophy in the sport.

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According to a report by BBC Sport on Monday, Ancelotti noted that no single manager can fully encapsulate their approach, instead drawing from a range of influences across the sport, saying "In football, it is difficult to say that one manager inspires you," and "You take things from different managers."

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Ancelotti, the son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, highlighted the impact of notable managers on his thinking, particularly in possession play and pressing systems, citing Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Roberto De Zerbi as key influences.

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He praised Guardiola as "cutting-edge, a pioneer," and acknowledged Klopp's expertise in high pressing and triggers, saying "You cannot forget Jurgen Klopp in the high pressing, in the triggers."

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Ancelotti also commended De Zerbi's ability to find the third man and focus on small details, stating "If we speak about superiority, you have to mention Roberto De Zerbi in how to find the third man, the small details that he discovered."

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In addition to these influences, Ancelotti noted the defensive strengths of Diego Simeone and the tactical adaptability of Unai Emery, as well as the enduring influence of his father, Carlo Ancelotti, who came from the school of Arrigo Sacchi and emphasized zonal defense and the 4-4-2 formation.

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Ancelotti stressed that he is developing his own unique identity as a manager, saying "For some people, I am like my father, but in truth, I am not exactly like him," and "I have a similar character, but I am a different kind of manager."

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He believes that the modern game demands flexibility and adaptability, rather than strict adherence to one philosophy, stating "I don’t think a manager has to be one thing or another, there is always a point in the middle."

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Ancelotti described his ideal team as one capable of excelling in every phase of the game, saying "My dream is to have a team that can do different things at the highest level."

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Using Paris Saint-Germain as an example, he praised teams that can combine structure with freedom and intensity with organization, noting their ability to adapt and respond to different situations on the field.

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Ancelotti explained that such teams can recognize when to press and when to adopt a more organized approach, saying "They can find the spare man if they have superiority in the first build-up," and "Without the ball, if they have to press, they recognise when they have to press to be man-to-man."

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Ultimately, Ancelotti believes that a team's identity is shaped by what a coach prioritizes on the training ground, stating "In the end, the team will become what you emphasise, and you emphasise the things you like."