Famous Italian Coaches

Claudio Ranieri is an Italian former professional football manager and player known for leading Leicester City to win the 2015–16 Premier League, considered one of the greatest sporting shocks. He began his managerial career in Italy, achieving success with clubs like Cagliari, Fiorentina, and Juventus. He also had stints in Spain with Valencia and Atlético Madrid. Ranieri later managed Chelsea in England, guiding them to a UEFA Champions League semi-final. He has also managed teams in France, Greece, and returned to England with Leicester City and other clubs.

Carlo Ancelotti is an esteemed Italian football manager and former player known for his exceptional achievements in the sport. With a remarkable career spanning decades, he has managed some of the top clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, AC Milan, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich. Ancelotti has an unparalleled record in the UEFA Champions League, winning the trophy five times as a manager and twice as a player. He is the only manager to have led teams to six Champions League finals and has also conquered domestic leagues in multiple countries.

Geno Auriemma is a highly successful American basketball coach known for his leadership of the UConn Huskies women's basketball team since 1985. He has achieved remarkable feats, including 11 NCAA Division I national championships and numerous undefeated conference seasons. Auriemma also coached the United States women's national basketball team to multiple triumphs, winning gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics, as well as the 2010 and 2014 World Championships. He is a highly decorated coach, having received numerous prestigious awards and inductions into basketball Hall of Fames.

Roberto Donadoni is an Italian football manager and former midfielder known for his skill and versatility as a winger. He played for Atalanta and AC Milan, achieving success domestically and internationally. Donadoni also played for the NY/NJ MetroStars in Major League Soccer and Ittihad in the Saudi Premier League. He represented Italy in multiple European Championships and FIFA World Cups, earning caps and scoring goals for his country. As a manager, Donadoni coached various Italian clubs and the Italy national team, reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 before being replaced.

Mike D'Antoni is an American professional basketball coach and former player known for his fast-paced, offense-oriented system. He has served as a head coach for various NBA teams, including the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets. D'Antoni won NBA Coach of the Year honors twice, in the 2004–05 season with the Suns and the 2016–17 season with the Rockets. His system has helped players like Steve Nash and James Harden achieve success and win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

Enzo Bearzot was an Italian professional football player and manager known for coaching the Italy national team to victory in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He was a versatile player, excelling as a defender and midfielder during his playing career. Bearzot coached the Italy national team a record 104 times and was recognized for his calm demeanor and distinctive pipe smoking habit. His legacy lives on through the annual "Enzo Bearzot Award," honoring the best Italian coach of the year.

Cesare Prandelli is an Italian former football coach and player known for his successful career in the sport. He has managed various football clubs in Italy, including Fiorentina and Roma, achieving notable successes and recognition for his tactical acumen. Prandelli also served as the head coach of the Italian national team, leading them to the final of the UEFA European Championship in 2012. Throughout his professional life, he has been respected for his strategic approach to the game and dedication to developing talented players.

Bogdan Tanjević, also known as "Boša", is a prominent Montenegrin professional basketball coach and former player. He achieved great success as the head coach of KK Bosna, leading the team to victory in the FIBA European Champions Cup in the 1978–79 season. Tanjević further solidified his coaching legacy by guiding the Italian national team to a gold medal at EuroBasket 1999. His remarkable contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2019.

Andrea Trinchieri is a prominent Italian professional basketball coach known for his successful career in European basketball. He has served as the head coach for various top-tier teams, including Žalgiris Kaunas in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroLeague. Trinchieri is highly regarded for his strategic coaching style, leadership skills, and ability to develop players. He has achieved significant success in the competitive world of European basketball, earning a reputation as one of the top coaches in the sport.

Andrea Giani is an Italian professional volleyball coach and former player known for his versatility on the court. Throughout the 1990s, he achieved significant success, including winning three World Championships with the Italian national team. Giani excelled in various positions, showcasing his skills as an outside hitter, middle blocker, and opposite spiker. Currently, he serves as the head coach for the France national team and the Polish PlusLiga team, ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle, where he continues to contribute his expertise and passion for the sport.

Carlo Fassi was an accomplished Italian figure skater and renowned international coach. He achieved success as a single skater, earning the World bronze medal in 1953, becoming a two-time European champion in 1953 and 1954, and winning the Italian national championship ten times from 1945 to 1954. Fassi later transitioned into coaching, guiding several World and Olympic champions to success through his expertise and mentorship. His impact on the sport of figure skating was profound and enduring.

Lorenzo Bernardi is an accomplished Italian professional volleyball coach and former player with an impressive career. He achieved notable success as a silver medallist at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, a two-time World Champion in 1990 and 1994, and a two-time European Champion in 1989 and 1995. Bernardi was recognized as the best player at the 1994 World Championship and 1995 European Championship. In 2001, he was honored as the "Volleyball Player of the Century" by the FIVB alongside Karch Kiraly.

Daniela Ceccarelli is an Italian alpine skiing coach and former World Cup Alpine skier. She achieved a surprise gold medal in the super-G competition during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Following her retirement, Ceccarelli founded her own ski club, the Golden Team Ceccarelli. She has transitioned from her successful skiing career to coaching, sharing her expertise and experience with aspiring athletes. Ceccarelli continues to make a significant impact in the world of alpine skiing through her coaching and mentorship.

Kristian Ghedina is an Italian alpine skiing coach and former competitive racer known for his 13 victories in the World Cup, making him the second most successful Italian downhill specialist. He has been surpassed only by Dominik Paris, who holds 21 victories. Ghedina has transitioned to auto racing and continues to showcase his competitive spirit in a different arena. His accomplishments in skiing and his ongoing pursuits in auto racing demonstrate his versatility and passion for sports.