Legendary coaches to win league titles in four countries

By Peter Ochieng

Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola has been touted as the best coach of the 21st century, owing to his ability to transform the sides and players he has guided over the years.

The Spaniard has won league titles in three countries – Spain, with Barcelona, Germany, with FC Bayern Munich and England, with Manchester City.

However, some of his peers have won league titles in four countries. They are:

1. Jose Mourinho

The Special one is currently managing Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Lig, seeking to become the third man to win a league title in five different countries.

His team is second on the log with 39 points, 11 behind leaders Galatasaray albeit with a game in hand. With Galatasaray’s flawless form, it may be difficult for Mourinho to lead his team to a title win this season.

The legendary tactician has already won league titles in Portugal (FC Proto), England (Chelsea), Italy (Inter Milan) and Spain (Real Madrid).

2. Carlo Ancelotti

Like Mourinho, Ancelotti has won league titles in England, Spain and Italy, with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Ac Milan respectively.

The only point of departure is that whereas the Portuguese won his fourth title in Portugal, the Italian led PSG to league crown in the French Ligue 1.

3. Giovanni Trapattoni

Another Italian on the list.

He boasts of capturing league titles in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria.

In Italy, he won the Serie A with AC Milan, Juventus and AC Milan, before leading Bayern Munich to the league crown in the German Bundesliga.

Benfica in Portugal and Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga complete his list of league title triumphs.

4. Tomislav Ivić

An unfamiliar name on the list.

His name is however not new in Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and France where he led his sides to league crowns, making him the first coach to achieve the feat in five different countries.

5. Ernst Happel

The Austrian led his teams to victory in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria.

6. Eric Gerets

The former Belgium international is the second man to lead his teams to title wins in five different countries. He achieved the feat while managing clubs in Belgium, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.