Last week Real Madrid put an end to numerous rumours about the future manager of Los Blancos, making Carlo Ancelotti’s signing official. The former PSG boss will be the fifth Italian at the club, and all of them have been synonymous for winning titles.
The first Italian to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu was Fabio Capello, who took charge at Chamartin in the 1996/97 season, on the back of his previous success at Milan. The Italian manager arrived after Los Merengues had ended the previous season without claiming any title, and he put an end to that lack of trophies winning La Liga against Ronaldo’s Barcelona.
Capello left the club at the end of that year, but he planted the seed for the squad that would win the Champions League the following season, ending a 32-year wait. However, ten years later, he came back to Real Madrid and, again, he won la Liga putting an end to Barca’s triumphal era –they had won two leagues in a row and one Champions League.
The second Italian to arrive to Real was Christian Panucci, who was signed by Capello in the winter transfer market of the 1996/97 season. The right-back spent two and a half seasons and at the club, winning one La Liga title and one Champions League.
Santiago Bernabeu fans had to wait several years to see another Italian, until the 2005/2006 season, when Antonio Cassano arrived midway through the campaign. The Azzurri forward’s signing was based on his excellent skills and for being one of the most talented players in European football. However, the Bernabeu saw his class in dribs and drabs during the two seasons he wore the white shirt. He won the league in 2007 though.
The last Italian to pass by Real Madrid was Fabio Cannavaro, who lead Los Blancos defence for three campaigns. The centre-back arrived in Madrid in the summer of 2006 after winning the World Cup with Italy. He conquered two La Liga trophies and has been the Italian to last the longest time at the club.
All the Azzurri that have been part of Real Madrid have one at least one title. Will Carlo Ancelotti continue that streak?
