The most coach appearances in UEFA Champions League history
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Many of the greatest football coaches in the world have graced the UEFA Champions League in its current form since 1992. Many a career is defined by not only their success in this competition, but also their longevity and for a coach, it's certainly no different. To manage in the UEFA Champions League for years on end is the mark of a top coach and the list of names compiled below is testament to that.
We've highlighted the 15 coaches, who have made the most appearances in the UEFA Champions League since the tournament's rebrand. The coaches are ranked in order of their total appearance figures with the number of clubs they have coached in the competition also listed.
*Last updated in June 2023
Despite having retired back in 2013, Scotsman Sir Alex Ferguson had been the proud holder of the most appearances as a coach in the UEFA Champions League, all 190 of those coming at Manchester United, whom he joined all the way back in 1986 after having already tasted European success at Scottish side Aberdeen, whom he led to European Cup Winners Cup and European Super Cup triumphs. Across his 26-year-spell at United, Ferguson lifted the UEFA Champions League twice, in 1998-99 as part of a historic treble win, plus in 2007-08 when the Red Devils defeated Chelsea in a dramatic penalty-shootout.
However, on May 17th 2023 the Scot was finally overtaken by Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the UEFA Champions League four-times since the 1992-93 season. Currently at Real Madrid, Ancelotti now stands above Ferguson by just one appearance following the conclusion of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League, managing eight clubs over the course of his 191 appearances compared to Ferguson's one. The Italian will be expected to add to this figure further next season and should his Real Madrid team reach the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, then Ancelotti will become the first coach to reach 200 appearances in the competition.
