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Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches
Carlo Ancelotti is one of the greatest managers of all time, with five Champions League titles to his name. Yet his approach could not be further from the aggressive theatricals favoured by many of his rivals. His understated style has earned him the fierce loyalty of players like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo. In Quiet Leadership , Ancelotti reveals the full, riveting story of his managerial career - his methods, mentors, mistakes and triumphs - and takes us inside the dressing room to trace the characters, challenges and decisions that have shaped him. The result is both a scintillating memoir and a rare insight into the business of leadership.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 16, 2016
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April 18, 2017
This is a good, quick read. Its not half as enlightening as a business manual as its co-writers think but as a football book, it´s interesting and Carlo seems a nice man. His view on life can be summed up by one of his stories: there is a horse standing in front of a fence - how do you get it over the fence? Some people would whip it, Carlo would stand on the other side of the fence and offer it a carrot.
November 2, 2023
آنچلوتی یکی از بزرگترین مربیهای فوتبال از نظر من هستش. مربیای که وقتی سال ۲۰۱۴ به رئال مادرید اومد از همون روز اول برام به یکی از محبوبترین شخصیتهای فوتبالی تبدیل شد. مربیای که با استایل خاص و آدامس جویدن و ابروهای بالا و پایینش در کنار زمین ثابت کرده از بهترین مربیهای تاریخ فوتبال هست.
شاید درخشان ترین دوران آنچلوتی در ۸ سالی که مربی تیم میلان بود رقم خورد. جایی که سه بار به فینال چمپیونزلیگ رسید و اسکودوتو هم برنده شد.
و بعد به دوره ۴ ساله مادرید میرسیم ( فعلا ۴ سال و امیدوارم بیشتر بشه) دوره اول دو فصل ۲۰۱۴ و ۲۰۱۵ که باعث شد قهرمانی تاریخی لادسیما و چمپیونزلیگ رو بعد از سالها به دست بیاریم و دوره دومش که مجدد با کامبک های تاریخی سال ۲۰۲۲ تونستیم تیمهای نفتی رو تا فینال شکست بدیم.
و امیدوارم این فصل هم به نتیجه برسیم.
کتاب متشکل از خاطرات آنچلوتی طی دوران مربیگریش و رابطههاش با بازیکنان و مدیرعاملهای باشگاهها هست.
بخشهایی از کتاب هم حالت آموزشی داره که من بخش خاطرات رو بیشتر ترجیح میدم.
دوست داشتم بیشتر از بازی تاریخی چمپیونزلیگ ۲۰۰۵ لیورپول - میلان گفته میشد ولی خب توقع بیجایی هست که از تلخ ترین اتفاق فوتبالی دوران کارلتو بیشتر نوشته بشه. به هر حال اون بازی و کامبک لیورپول اتفاق عجیبی بود که باعث فشار شدید جسمی و روحی روی کارلتو شد.
کارلتو از بازیکنایی که باهاشون بسیار صمیمی بوده میگه و داخل کتاب هربار که از اخراج شدن یا جدایی از باشگاهها میگه به دوری و از دست رفتن اون رابطه صمیمی و دوستانه بازیکنهای سابقش میگه.
موردی که به قول دون ویتو کورلئونه خانواده مهم ترین چیز هست و آنچلوتی هم این اصول رو در باشگاه هایی که بوده رعایت میکنه. مربی ای که کمترین اختلاف رو با بازیکنان داشته و معمولا سعی کرده جو صمیمیای رو ایجاد کنه و کمترین تنش رو داخل باشگاه داشته باشه.
مربی بزرگ ایتالیایی با ۴ تا چمپیونز ک دهها جام دیگه.
اگه به آثار و خاطرات فوتبالی علاقه دارید این کتاب رو از دست ندید.
شاید درخشان ترین دوران آنچلوتی در ۸ سالی که مربی تیم میلان بود رقم خورد. جایی که سه بار به فینال چمپیونزلیگ رسید و اسکودوتو هم برنده شد.
و بعد به دوره ۴ ساله مادرید میرسیم ( فعلا ۴ سال و امیدوارم بیشتر بشه) دوره اول دو فصل ۲۰۱۴ و ۲۰۱۵ که باعث شد قهرمانی تاریخی لادسیما و چمپیونزلیگ رو بعد از سالها به دست بیاریم و دوره دومش که مجدد با کامبک های تاریخی سال ۲۰۲۲ تونستیم تیمهای نفتی رو تا فینال شکست بدیم.
و امیدوارم این فصل هم به نتیجه برسیم.
کتاب متشکل از خاطرات آنچلوتی طی دوران مربیگریش و رابطههاش با بازیکنان و مدیرعاملهای باشگاهها هست.
بخشهایی از کتاب هم حالت آموزشی داره که من بخش خاطرات رو بیشتر ترجیح میدم.
دوست داشتم بیشتر از بازی تاریخی چمپیونزلیگ ۲۰۰۵ لیورپول - میلان گفته میشد ولی خب توقع بیجایی هست که از تلخ ترین اتفاق فوتبالی دوران کارلتو بیشتر نوشته بشه. به هر حال اون بازی و کامبک لیورپول اتفاق عجیبی بود که باعث فشار شدید جسمی و روحی روی کارلتو شد.
کارلتو از بازیکنایی که باهاشون بسیار صمیمی بوده میگه و داخل کتاب هربار که از اخراج شدن یا جدایی از باشگاهها میگه به دوری و از دست رفتن اون رابطه صمیمی و دوستانه بازیکنهای سابقش میگه.
موردی که به قول دون ویتو کورلئونه خانواده مهم ترین چیز هست و آنچلوتی هم این اصول رو در باشگاه هایی که بوده رعایت میکنه. مربی ای که کمترین اختلاف رو با بازیکنان داشته و معمولا سعی کرده جو صمیمیای رو ایجاد کنه و کمترین تنش رو داخل باشگاه داشته باشه.
مربی بزرگ ایتالیایی با ۴ تا چمپیونز ک دهها جام دیگه.
اگه به آثار و خاطرات فوتبالی علاقه دارید این کتاب رو از دست ندید.
November 9, 2023
هیچ کس به اندازه انجلوتی در لیگهای اروپایی متنوع (اسپانیا، ایتالیا، المان و انگلیس) به عنوان مربی افتخار کسب نکرده. خب به نظر می رسه با یه شخصیت منعطف سر و کار داریم. کتاب زندگی نامه اش هم اینو نشون میده. آدمی که جای دستور دادن، آدمها رو نرم با خودش همراه میکنه و آروم آروم رهبر جمع میشه. برخلاف فرگوسن که تو کتابش یه مدیریت اقتدارگرا رو نشون میده.
کتاب انجلوتی با مشارکت دو مدیر باتجربه تدوین شده و علاوه بر نقل قولهای خود فرگوسن، با بازیکنهای بزرگی که باهاش کار کردن هم صحبت کرده. بعد خوندن دو کتاب "زندگی نامه" و "رهبری" فرگوسن به شدت خوندنش به فوتبال دوستان و مدیران توصیه میشه. البته به پای اون دو کتاب نمیرسه.
کتاب انجلوتی با مشارکت دو مدیر باتجربه تدوین شده و علاوه بر نقل قولهای خود فرگوسن، با بازیکنهای بزرگی که باهاش کار کردن هم صحبت کرده. بعد خوندن دو کتاب "زندگی نامه" و "رهبری" فرگوسن به شدت خوندنش به فوتبال دوستان و مدیران توصیه میشه. البته به پای اون دو کتاب نمیرسه.
June 5, 2016
After much anticipation I ordered this book the day it came out,
From humble beginnings on a cheese farm to professional football player and manager, Ancelloti gives you an insight into the lessons he has learnt from 40 years in football, the way he leads through building relationships with his staff and players and how he wins their hearts and minds.
This book is relevant whether you like football or not, whether you are in business or at university and only if you aspire to become something great.
This book is more academic and only towards the end is there a chapter about his personal life.
Overall, I found the book insightful although sometimes he does go into too much detail on football tactics and formations and found those bits abit boring, but he is a manager... nevertheless the bulk of the book is stimulating and thought provoking
From humble beginnings on a cheese farm to professional football player and manager, Ancelloti gives you an insight into the lessons he has learnt from 40 years in football, the way he leads through building relationships with his staff and players and how he wins their hearts and minds.
This book is relevant whether you like football or not, whether you are in business or at university and only if you aspire to become something great.
This book is more academic and only towards the end is there a chapter about his personal life.
Overall, I found the book insightful although sometimes he does go into too much detail on football tactics and formations and found those bits abit boring, but he is a manager... nevertheless the bulk of the book is stimulating and thought provoking
July 25, 2017
Carlo Ancelotti - một trong hai huấn luyện viên đầu tiên mình hâm mộ.
Sau khi đọc cuốn sách tự truyện của ông, mình càng ngưỡng mộ ông trên phương diện một người quý ông. Một quý ông không cần thét ra lửa nhưng mọi người vẫn tôn trọng tuyệt đối. Một quý ông có thể quan tâm tất cả mọi người, không chừa một ai, từ ngôi sao bóng đá đẳng cấp thế giới cho tới người nhân viên phụ trách dinh dưỡng cho đội bóng. Một quý ông trên quý dưới phục trong công việc. Và hơn hết, đây là một quý ông của sự trầm tĩnh, một sự trầm tĩnh rất...đàn ông.
Đây là một cuốn sách pha trộn giữa tự truyện và self-help cho những ai muốn tìm hiểu về thuật lãnh đạo, đắc nhân tâm với đồng nghiệp. Những trải nghiệm của ông Carlo ở trong đó sẽ luôn là những bài học về các phương pháp lãnh đạo trầm lặng mang phong cách của chính ông. Ai không thích bóng đá vẫn có thể đọc nó theo góc độ tìm hiểu về quản trị nhân sự, quản trị tài năng, ai không thích đọc về các vấn đề quản trị thì vẫn có thể tiếp cận cuốn sách theo sở thích tìm hiểu về cuộc sống bóng đá muôn màu, còn ai không thích cả bóng đá cả quản trị thì cũng có thể đọc nó theo hướng tìm hiểu về một quý ông xuất thân nghèo khó vươn thành công như thế nào.
Sau khi đọc cuốn sách tự truyện của ông, mình càng ngưỡng mộ ông trên phương diện một người quý ông. Một quý ông không cần thét ra lửa nhưng mọi người vẫn tôn trọng tuyệt đối. Một quý ông có thể quan tâm tất cả mọi người, không chừa một ai, từ ngôi sao bóng đá đẳng cấp thế giới cho tới người nhân viên phụ trách dinh dưỡng cho đội bóng. Một quý ông trên quý dưới phục trong công việc. Và hơn hết, đây là một quý ông của sự trầm tĩnh, một sự trầm tĩnh rất...đàn ông.
Đây là một cuốn sách pha trộn giữa tự truyện và self-help cho những ai muốn tìm hiểu về thuật lãnh đạo, đắc nhân tâm với đồng nghiệp. Những trải nghiệm của ông Carlo ở trong đó sẽ luôn là những bài học về các phương pháp lãnh đạo trầm lặng mang phong cách của chính ông. Ai không thích bóng đá vẫn có thể đọc nó theo góc độ tìm hiểu về quản trị nhân sự, quản trị tài năng, ai không thích đọc về các vấn đề quản trị thì vẫn có thể tiếp cận cuốn sách theo sở thích tìm hiểu về cuộc sống bóng đá muôn màu, còn ai không thích cả bóng đá cả quản trị thì cũng có thể đọc nó theo hướng tìm hiểu về một quý ông xuất thân nghèo khó vươn thành công như thế nào.
October 20, 2016
A delightful read, it alternates chapters in which Ancelotti describes his leading style and short pieces from players and managers who worked with him, making the short chapters perfect for an in-depth analysis of the game that is never tiresome. A light autobiography by a captivating, charming, funny man.
May 17, 2024
Wouldn't it be nice if the writer of the book was actually the person on the cover?
June 8, 2020
Carlo Ancelotti once said "Football is the most important of the less important things in the world". However the exploits of the man both as a reliable midfielder and a formidable manager seem to indicate otherwise. Football has been the lifeblood of this Italian great. He has etched an indelible mark in the world of football as a manager of repute, resilience and most importantly - results. As the collection of trophies in his enviable cabinet would demonstrate, there are very few glories that have escape the clutches of this man from Parma. However the most unique thing about him is the way in which he goes about the business of winning. Unlike the expressive Jose Mourinho, or the unpredictable Louis Van Gaal, Ancelotti has a benign and placid approach towards both the game as well as the players. Carlo Ancelotti himself prefers to term this method "The Quiet Leadership".
In this book, co authored with Mike Forde and Chris Brady, Ancelotti provides a valuable glimpse of the "Quiet Leadership". Quiet here ought not to be mixed up with docile. As will be evident from a reading of his book, quiet also embodies an element of steel; a determined and uncompromising attitude that is backed up by an encouraging trait of beliefs. This is the kind of leadership that has players singing his paeans long after he has stopped managing them. Players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic; Alssandro Nesta; Paolo Madini and David Beckham have contributed their view of Carlo Ancelotti in the book and they all seem to have only fond and blissful memories. The picture portrayed by them is that of a fatherly figure doing his every bit to further their prospects as footballers in general and leaders in particular.
Ancelotti traces out some of his uncompromising belief sets in the book. A few of them that grab instant attention are respect for fellow footballers/team mates; aligned leadership and tactical leadership, a sense of belongingness and loyalty. Ancelotti also addresses the eccentricities of the various owners of clubs such as Roman Abramovic and Silvio Berlusconi, who not only demand instant results but also force the hand of the coach to instill in the club a sense of style that is dearest to them! The style of play has to be in alignment with the tastes of the owner! A contraction if ever there was one!
Although not a kiss-and-tell or a bare all fare, "Quiet Leadership" is part autobiographical, part technical and part management. Ancelotti proves that a good book on football need not contain tabloid stuff and that every page need not sizzle with sleaze and simmer with controversy involving alcohol and bribery. This book also serves as an inspiration to every young footballer and aspiring leader:
If the son of an ordinary farmer at Parma can elevate himself to such echelons through sheer hard work and perseverance, so can anyone!
"Quiet Leadership" - Conveys a loud and clear message.
In this book, co authored with Mike Forde and Chris Brady, Ancelotti provides a valuable glimpse of the "Quiet Leadership". Quiet here ought not to be mixed up with docile. As will be evident from a reading of his book, quiet also embodies an element of steel; a determined and uncompromising attitude that is backed up by an encouraging trait of beliefs. This is the kind of leadership that has players singing his paeans long after he has stopped managing them. Players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic; Alssandro Nesta; Paolo Madini and David Beckham have contributed their view of Carlo Ancelotti in the book and they all seem to have only fond and blissful memories. The picture portrayed by them is that of a fatherly figure doing his every bit to further their prospects as footballers in general and leaders in particular.
Ancelotti traces out some of his uncompromising belief sets in the book. A few of them that grab instant attention are respect for fellow footballers/team mates; aligned leadership and tactical leadership, a sense of belongingness and loyalty. Ancelotti also addresses the eccentricities of the various owners of clubs such as Roman Abramovic and Silvio Berlusconi, who not only demand instant results but also force the hand of the coach to instill in the club a sense of style that is dearest to them! The style of play has to be in alignment with the tastes of the owner! A contraction if ever there was one!
Although not a kiss-and-tell or a bare all fare, "Quiet Leadership" is part autobiographical, part technical and part management. Ancelotti proves that a good book on football need not contain tabloid stuff and that every page need not sizzle with sleaze and simmer with controversy involving alcohol and bribery. This book also serves as an inspiration to every young footballer and aspiring leader:
If the son of an ordinary farmer at Parma can elevate himself to such echelons through sheer hard work and perseverance, so can anyone!
"Quiet Leadership" - Conveys a loud and clear message.
March 12, 2025
اسم مدیریت با آرامش واقعا لایق کارلو آنچلوتی است، کسایی که فوتبال رو دنبال میکنند میدونند که من چی میگم. اگه به کتابهای مدیریتی علاق دارید خوندن این کتاب رو بهتون پیشنهاد میکنم. خانواده برای کارلو مهمترین چیز هست و بیش از هرچیزی به مرکزی بودن نقش خانواده معتقد هست. همواره در طی دوران مدیریت خود سعی کرده یک فضای خانوادگی ایجاد کنه، بهطور مثال به زمان صرف غذا به عنوان یه حرکت اجتماعی برای پیوند خوردن افراد بسیار اهمیت میده تا جاییکه افرادی که فرهنگ و خصوصیات اخلاقی مختلفی دارند رو در زمان صرف غذا کنار هم قرار میده و صندلیهاشون رو از قبل مشخص میکنه.
مصاحبه بازیکنها و مربیانی که کارلو با آن ها کار کرده است در این کتاب آورده شده که در نوع خود بسیار جالبه، هرچند یک جاهایی زیادی براش نوشابه باز میکنند:)
مصاحبه بازیکنها و مربیانی که کارلو با آن ها کار کرده است در این کتاب آورده شده که در نوع خود بسیار جالبه، هرچند یک جاهایی زیادی براش نوشابه باز میکنند:)
February 17, 2019
Ein Buch über den Führungsstil eines Top-Trainers... Ohne Fußballwissen konsumierbar? Leider nur eingeschränkt. Hier wird versucht, den "Führungsstil" von Ancelotti ausschließlich mit Geschichten aus seiner Karriere zu veranschaulichen. Lässt man die Beigeisterung für Fußball, die dieses Buch ohne jeden Zweifel befriedigt, mal unberücksichtigt, bleibt kaum mehr etwas übrig, um aus diesem Buch etwas neues hinsichtlich Führung zu lernen. Leider, denn dafür habe ich es eigentlich konsumiert. Am Ende bleiben ein paar nette Fußballgeschichten und ein äußerst ikonisch dargestellter Fußballtrainer. Das richtige Buch für Fußballfans.
June 17, 2024
Libro excelente sobre el tipo de liderazgo de Ancelotti. Además tiene varios artículos de futbolistas como Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan. Para los que gustan del futbol, es sin lugar a dudas un libro necesario. Si no te gusta pero se desea entender un liderazgo diferente, este libro también puede ayudar.
January 7, 2026
Carletto mi ha sorpreso
September 8, 2019
رهبری با آرامش، خودنگاره و اتوبیوگرافی کارلو آنچلوتی، مربی موفق ایتالیایی است. کتاب یک زندگینامه خطی و از زمان به دنیا آمدن تا امروز نیست، بلکه بیشتر روایتگر تجربیات آنچلوتی در دوران مربیگری و بازیکنی است. آنچلوتی این کتاب را به همراه دو متخصص در زمینه مدیریت نوشته و طبق مطالب مقدمه، در این کتاب سعی شده که مفاهیم مدیریت آموزش داده شود، به طوری که برای همه قابل درک و فهم و استفاده باشد. و چه زمینه ای بهتر از فوتبال برای آموزش مدیریت. پرطرفدارترین و رایج ترین ورزش جهان. این کتاب به بخش های مختلفی تقسیم شده و در هر بخش به یکی از نکات مدیریتی پرداخته شده است و آنچلوتی در هر بخش تجربیاتش را در آن زمینه بیان می کند، مثل اینکه چطور با استعدادها رفتار کنیم، چطور با مدیران بالادستی برخورد کنیم و... در پایان هر بخش هم نکات مهم به صورت خلاصه در یکی دو صفحه توضیح داده می شود و سپس کارلو آنچلوتی توسط بازیکنان و همکاران و رقیبانش توصیف می شود.
ترجمه کتاب هم می توانست بهتر باشد و البته در چند نکته اسم بازیکنان را اشتباه نوشته است.
ترجمه کتاب هم می توانست بهتر باشد و البته در چند نکته اسم بازیکنان را اشتباه نوشته است.
November 9, 2016
اول مرة أقرر اقرا سيرة ذاتية. وبما اني متعصب للكرة الايطالية واحب انشيلوتي ماترددت اني اشتري الكتاب.
الكتاب هو رؤية انشيلوتي اكثر من سيرة ذاتية تقليدية مع شويتين قصص واكشن. اسلوب انشيلوتي في ادارة الفريق والتعامل مع اللاعبين والادارة والصعوبات.
اعرف انه مدرب عظيم بس بعد قرائتي للكتاب عرفت انه شخص عظيم ورائع. كتاب ممتاز.
الكتاب هو رؤية انشيلوتي اكثر من سيرة ذاتية تقليدية مع شويتين قصص واكشن. اسلوب انشيلوتي في ادارة الفريق والتعامل مع اللاعبين والادارة والصعوبات.
اعرف انه مدرب عظيم بس بعد قرائتي للكتاب عرفت انه شخص عظيم ورائع. كتاب ممتاز.
August 1, 2017
"Membongkar isi kepala Don Carletto"
Membaca buku ini membuat saya respek akan keberhasilan tim AC Milan sewaktu masa jaya di era milenium. Sebagai fans Inter (saya merasa begitu) waktu itu, saya cukup heran akan keberhasilan mereka. Sekarang apa yang menjadi ramuan keberhasilan tersebut dengan gamblang bisa kita temui di buku ini. AC Milan adalah keluarga bagi sang manager. Membangun tim dengan titian rasa, bukan sekadar mengambil jalan pintas meraih megabintang dari klub latin, misalnya.
Jika dibandingkan dengan Leading milik Sir Alex, Quiet Leadership terkesan monoton, banyak repetisi, dan kurang mengungkap bumbu-bumbu dalam dunia sepakbola. Saya berharap kelak Don Carlo akan membuat buku semacam itu.
Bapake hampir melatih Liverpool. Uhukk.. Realita di lapangan (baca: pemain mokong): santapan sehari-hari yang harus dihadapi pelatih. Berlusconi memang terlalu! itu semua membuat membaca buku ini terasa penuh kegembiraan dan sedikit kekecewaan. Karena itu tadi, bukunya terasa singkat.
Sebagai hasil akhir membaca buku ini. Saya berani mengambil simpulan. Jatuh bangun sebuah klub bola. Bukan hanya dari identitas klub itu semata. Tapi sebagian besar oleh kiprah para pemain. Sisanya adalah kerja keras sang pelatih di dalamnya.
Membaca buku ini membuat saya respek akan keberhasilan tim AC Milan sewaktu masa jaya di era milenium. Sebagai fans Inter (saya merasa begitu) waktu itu, saya cukup heran akan keberhasilan mereka. Sekarang apa yang menjadi ramuan keberhasilan tersebut dengan gamblang bisa kita temui di buku ini. AC Milan adalah keluarga bagi sang manager. Membangun tim dengan titian rasa, bukan sekadar mengambil jalan pintas meraih megabintang dari klub latin, misalnya.
Jika dibandingkan dengan Leading milik Sir Alex, Quiet Leadership terkesan monoton, banyak repetisi, dan kurang mengungkap bumbu-bumbu dalam dunia sepakbola. Saya berharap kelak Don Carlo akan membuat buku semacam itu.
Bapake hampir melatih Liverpool. Uhukk.. Realita di lapangan (baca: pemain mokong): santapan sehari-hari yang harus dihadapi pelatih. Berlusconi memang terlalu! itu semua membuat membaca buku ini terasa penuh kegembiraan dan sedikit kekecewaan. Karena itu tadi, bukunya terasa singkat.
Sebagai hasil akhir membaca buku ini. Saya berani mengambil simpulan. Jatuh bangun sebuah klub bola. Bukan hanya dari identitas klub itu semata. Tapi sebagian besar oleh kiprah para pemain. Sisanya adalah kerja keras sang pelatih di dalamnya.
October 13, 2020
This book was phenomenal. It was great how they bridged the high performance of sports to business/real life.
Carlo Ancelotti walks us through his life, playing career and experiences as a manager. He explained his philosophy to ''quiet leadership''. I absolutely loved that at the end of each chapter, players he had coached spoke of Ancelotti. The players were Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, David Beckham etc.
Ancelotti is brilliant. His zen-like approach to leadership and life really inspired me. His calmness is appreciated especially from the players. It leads to great decision making and the troops you're leading will feel this calmness. It's a thin line to not become too nice but like Ancelotti said in the book - ''if you bring the whip out too much, there's a chance that the horse might stomp on you instead of following your lead''. Differentiate between the political leader (not considered a leader by their teammates but important to the club in terms of the press and fans), personality leader (positive and always speaking to teammates) and technical leader (the utmost professional - they're often quiet and lead by example in training, on the pitch and off the pitch).
Art truly imitate life and I could defineatly sense the parallels between sports, business and life. Since I'm a huge fan of football and specifically italian football - I loved the inside look I got in to the game of football from a managers perspective. The politics, egos of presidents, pressure from media and establishing communication with the players as a new manager etc.
key takeaways: clearly state your non-negotiables and never break them, always trust your intuition, integrate the group through meal-sharing and common activities, before laying out expectations - bond with the group and earn their trust, always integrate within the culture of the team/country and be flexible with rules that don't have a big impact on the result (when to start training etc.) - the players will respect you for respecting them and will go to war for you, never forgot the humanity of the people you're leading and genuinely ask them how they're doing, eradicate the energy sappers from the team - ''one bad apple can spoil the bunch''
Carlo Ancelotti walks us through his life, playing career and experiences as a manager. He explained his philosophy to ''quiet leadership''. I absolutely loved that at the end of each chapter, players he had coached spoke of Ancelotti. The players were Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, David Beckham etc.
Ancelotti is brilliant. His zen-like approach to leadership and life really inspired me. His calmness is appreciated especially from the players. It leads to great decision making and the troops you're leading will feel this calmness. It's a thin line to not become too nice but like Ancelotti said in the book - ''if you bring the whip out too much, there's a chance that the horse might stomp on you instead of following your lead''. Differentiate between the political leader (not considered a leader by their teammates but important to the club in terms of the press and fans), personality leader (positive and always speaking to teammates) and technical leader (the utmost professional - they're often quiet and lead by example in training, on the pitch and off the pitch).
Art truly imitate life and I could defineatly sense the parallels between sports, business and life. Since I'm a huge fan of football and specifically italian football - I loved the inside look I got in to the game of football from a managers perspective. The politics, egos of presidents, pressure from media and establishing communication with the players as a new manager etc.
key takeaways: clearly state your non-negotiables and never break them, always trust your intuition, integrate the group through meal-sharing and common activities, before laying out expectations - bond with the group and earn their trust, always integrate within the culture of the team/country and be flexible with rules that don't have a big impact on the result (when to start training etc.) - the players will respect you for respecting them and will go to war for you, never forgot the humanity of the people you're leading and genuinely ask them how they're doing, eradicate the energy sappers from the team - ''one bad apple can spoil the bunch''
June 12, 2022
Carlo Ancelotti came from poor rural roots to become one of the most respected members of the small cadre of global football’s elite managers. He has won the Champion’s League six times – twice as a player and four times as a manager. Also, he is the first and only manager to have won league titles in all of Europe's top five leagues. His CV includes AC Milan (winning everything), Juventus (less enjoyable), Paris St-Germain (Unfortunate), Real Madrid (Legendary) , Chelsea (winning the Premier League and FA Cup double) and Bayern (winning the league but ends in a disaster).
This book is before he joined Bayern after his first Real Madrid stint. He has won décima for Madrid - the club’s elusive tenth European championship, after 12 years of draught, but got sacked after trophyless 2nd season. His Bayern stint was catastrophic, after winning the league in the first year (which is a given considering the gulf in Bundesliga between Munich and the rest) but getting out of champions league in group stage and losing the dressing room in the second year. After couple of low profile stints with Napoli and Everton, he returned to Real Madrid in 2021 and redeemed himself with La liga title and the miraculous 4th Champions League (Real's 14th) this year. It shows his personal philosophy about management has not changed after the Bayern fiasco.
This book is an unusual hybrid - Both by Carlo Ancelotti and about Carlo Ancelotti. It is not a conventional sports biography. It isn’t a kick-and-tell tale of football gossip, but consists of the Italian legend’s reflections on leading talented teams in one of the most competitive environments imaginable, interspersed with interviews with players and colleagues, and summaries of his famed “quiet way” by the book’s co-authors.
His quiet way is in truth less of a developed leadership doctrine, and more a description of his instinctive personality. “Carlo will take care of you,” David Beckham was told when considering a move to Milan, and that more or less sums up Don Carlo's style: calm, thoughtful, authoritative and caring. People first. Results matter. Mutual respect is paramount. Professionalism and commitment are cornerstone for success.
Perhaps, the best insight into how Carlo Ancelotti manages came as the final whistle blew at the Bernabéu in Champions League semifinal second leg (2021-22), with Real Madrid leading Manchester City 2-1, both teams are tied on aggregate and another 30 minutes in prospect. While Pep Guardiola drew his players into a tight huddle, explaining exactly what he needed from them, Ancelotti calmly strolled over to Marcelo and Toni Kroos on the substitutes’ bench and asked them who they thought he should bring on in extra time. Because he wasn’t really sure. Of course, if Real had lost that game and City qualified for the Champions League final, you could easily spin that anecdote into a tale about how a passive Ancelotti lost the plot, about how Guardiola’s clear-headed gameplan won the day. Ancelotti has seen and done it all at club level, and yet he is often the first to admit that the first secret of management is that you need a little luck. But, there’s something else going here as well, and perhaps you only glimpse it in the very biggest games, under the highest pressure. Mr Ancelotti doesn’t just cherish his players and put an arm around their shoulder. He trusts them: not just to execute his gameplan but to craft it, not just to assimilate his message but to pass it on and make it their own. Which, when you think about it, is no less courageous or daunting an approach than plotting and prescribing every last detail to the nth degree. It’s just a different form of courage: the courage of faith. And that is the philosophy of his quiet leadership - believe in your players, believe in your staffs to do the right thing at the right moment. And make sure you have done your best to prepare them for that pivotal moment.
This book is before he joined Bayern after his first Real Madrid stint. He has won décima for Madrid - the club’s elusive tenth European championship, after 12 years of draught, but got sacked after trophyless 2nd season. His Bayern stint was catastrophic, after winning the league in the first year (which is a given considering the gulf in Bundesliga between Munich and the rest) but getting out of champions league in group stage and losing the dressing room in the second year. After couple of low profile stints with Napoli and Everton, he returned to Real Madrid in 2021 and redeemed himself with La liga title and the miraculous 4th Champions League (Real's 14th) this year. It shows his personal philosophy about management has not changed after the Bayern fiasco.
This book is an unusual hybrid - Both by Carlo Ancelotti and about Carlo Ancelotti. It is not a conventional sports biography. It isn’t a kick-and-tell tale of football gossip, but consists of the Italian legend’s reflections on leading talented teams in one of the most competitive environments imaginable, interspersed with interviews with players and colleagues, and summaries of his famed “quiet way” by the book’s co-authors.
His quiet way is in truth less of a developed leadership doctrine, and more a description of his instinctive personality. “Carlo will take care of you,” David Beckham was told when considering a move to Milan, and that more or less sums up Don Carlo's style: calm, thoughtful, authoritative and caring. People first. Results matter. Mutual respect is paramount. Professionalism and commitment are cornerstone for success.
Perhaps, the best insight into how Carlo Ancelotti manages came as the final whistle blew at the Bernabéu in Champions League semifinal second leg (2021-22), with Real Madrid leading Manchester City 2-1, both teams are tied on aggregate and another 30 minutes in prospect. While Pep Guardiola drew his players into a tight huddle, explaining exactly what he needed from them, Ancelotti calmly strolled over to Marcelo and Toni Kroos on the substitutes’ bench and asked them who they thought he should bring on in extra time. Because he wasn’t really sure. Of course, if Real had lost that game and City qualified for the Champions League final, you could easily spin that anecdote into a tale about how a passive Ancelotti lost the plot, about how Guardiola’s clear-headed gameplan won the day. Ancelotti has seen and done it all at club level, and yet he is often the first to admit that the first secret of management is that you need a little luck. But, there’s something else going here as well, and perhaps you only glimpse it in the very biggest games, under the highest pressure. Mr Ancelotti doesn’t just cherish his players and put an arm around their shoulder. He trusts them: not just to execute his gameplan but to craft it, not just to assimilate his message but to pass it on and make it their own. Which, when you think about it, is no less courageous or daunting an approach than plotting and prescribing every last detail to the nth degree. It’s just a different form of courage: the courage of faith. And that is the philosophy of his quiet leadership - believe in your players, believe in your staffs to do the right thing at the right moment. And make sure you have done your best to prepare them for that pivotal moment.
July 2, 2023
Reposted from CB Book Reviews on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs9Bm9pNx...
This is a book that has been in my ‘To Be Read’ pile for some time, after seeing it on a shelf in a @waterstones
Firstly, I would like to say that this book is not at all what I thought it would be when I noticed it and picked it up off of the shelf. I ashamedly assumed that this would be the typical autobiography of one of the worlds best, but also underrated, football managers; and whilst this was a good enough reason for me to buy the book, I didn’t at all realise what I was buying.
Quiet Leadership is a Leadership and Management guide which weaves short snippets and stories from Carlo’s playing and managerial careers, to support and contextualise the topics that are being discussed around his world renowned managerial style; a style based on creating a positive holistic culture with listening, and building close relationships being at it’s heart. This is a managerial style that I fully identify with, support and actively search for, which is maybe what has made reading this book so easy.
The topics being discussed, along with the mindset and approach that Carlo takes are then discussed and supported in a few pages each, by some of the football world’s most recognisable names, all of which have come into contact with Carlo Ancelotti, a man who has had a lasting effect on each of them.
Further to this, the book opens and closes with a few pages from Carlo’s co-authors, Chris Brady and Mike Forde which firstly help to identify the purpose and direction of the book, and then finally create a summary of the lessons and topics discussed. I feel that this has been deliberately delivered in this way, almost as if between them, they are inducting the reader into Carlo’s ‘work family’ in the same way that Carlo would start when arriving at a football club.
A thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish.
This is a book that has been in my ‘To Be Read’ pile for some time, after seeing it on a shelf in a @waterstones
Firstly, I would like to say that this book is not at all what I thought it would be when I noticed it and picked it up off of the shelf. I ashamedly assumed that this would be the typical autobiography of one of the worlds best, but also underrated, football managers; and whilst this was a good enough reason for me to buy the book, I didn’t at all realise what I was buying.
Quiet Leadership is a Leadership and Management guide which weaves short snippets and stories from Carlo’s playing and managerial careers, to support and contextualise the topics that are being discussed around his world renowned managerial style; a style based on creating a positive holistic culture with listening, and building close relationships being at it’s heart. This is a managerial style that I fully identify with, support and actively search for, which is maybe what has made reading this book so easy.
The topics being discussed, along with the mindset and approach that Carlo takes are then discussed and supported in a few pages each, by some of the football world’s most recognisable names, all of which have come into contact with Carlo Ancelotti, a man who has had a lasting effect on each of them.
Further to this, the book opens and closes with a few pages from Carlo’s co-authors, Chris Brady and Mike Forde which firstly help to identify the purpose and direction of the book, and then finally create a summary of the lessons and topics discussed. I feel that this has been deliberately delivered in this way, almost as if between them, they are inducting the reader into Carlo’s ‘work family’ in the same way that Carlo would start when arriving at a football club.
A thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish.
July 20, 2022
This book explores Ancelotti's 'Quiet Leadership' philosophy which strongly emphasises the importance of building relationships with players and staff, and getting results via influencing as opposed to commanding or playing mind games (side eye Mourinho). Lots of other interesting topics were discussed like talent management, hiring, the workplace, culture, managing up and so on.
I think what makes this book stand out is how these concepts are backed by real life examples — involving popular games, top players and coaches and some of the biggest clubs in the world — many of which I can remember clearly.
The biggest lesson for me was the mentality shift that has to happen for one to become a good leader and how it differs from and/or overlaps with the skillset of a great IC. Also, I learnt how professionalism is vital to the stability of the workplace. The latter point is important to me because I noticed that the combination of WFH, flexible working hours and the 'output-focused' nature of tech work often leads loads of younger people to become overly lax with the behavioural/cultural aspect of the jobs.
I'll definitely be reading this one again.
I think what makes this book stand out is how these concepts are backed by real life examples — involving popular games, top players and coaches and some of the biggest clubs in the world — many of which I can remember clearly.
The biggest lesson for me was the mentality shift that has to happen for one to become a good leader and how it differs from and/or overlaps with the skillset of a great IC. Also, I learnt how professionalism is vital to the stability of the workplace. The latter point is important to me because I noticed that the combination of WFH, flexible working hours and the 'output-focused' nature of tech work often leads loads of younger people to become overly lax with the behavioural/cultural aspect of the jobs.
I'll definitely be reading this one again.
May 13, 2025
4.3/5 for me
Two reasons I picked this up off the shelves:
- I want to explore leadership more (topic I'm quite uneducated in truthfully)
- I'm trying to learn a language
- I like ball
Ancelotti’s always fascinated me - comes across as the coolest man alive publicly, and I was curious if that quiet confidence translated behind the scenes. It does.
He’s worked with so many top teams and across different cultures, and his ability to lead in multiple languages is seriously impressive.
This isn’t a typical football book. It’s not about matches or glory or Carlo's story. If you’re not into leadership not for you.
Although he does veer off into some very interesting football inside some of the teams he managed.
Big takeaways for me:
– Be flexible — adapt to both ownership expectations and player styles
– Keep learning — being stuck in your ways never works
– His composure is next-level in such high-pressure environments
Worth a read if you're into leadership and sport.
Two reasons I picked this up off the shelves:
- I want to explore leadership more (topic I'm quite uneducated in truthfully)
- I'm trying to learn a language
- I like ball
Ancelotti’s always fascinated me - comes across as the coolest man alive publicly, and I was curious if that quiet confidence translated behind the scenes. It does.
He’s worked with so many top teams and across different cultures, and his ability to lead in multiple languages is seriously impressive.
This isn’t a typical football book. It’s not about matches or glory or Carlo's story. If you’re not into leadership not for you.
Although he does veer off into some very interesting football inside some of the teams he managed.
Big takeaways for me:
– Be flexible — adapt to both ownership expectations and player styles
– Keep learning — being stuck in your ways never works
– His composure is next-level in such high-pressure environments
Worth a read if you're into leadership and sport.
March 10, 2024
Ein sehr sympathisches und (Überraschung) ruhiges, autobiografisches Buch über Carlo Ancelottis Führungsstil. Ich hatte mich noch nicht so intensiv mit ihm auseinandergesetzt und kann mir nun aber gut vorstellen, dass er ein angenehmer Zeitgenosse ist und woher seine Erfolge als Fußballtrainer rühren. Mir persönlich liegt sein Führungsstil sehr nahe, weshalb ich mich selbst bestätigt gefühlt habe, davon zu lesen (*kritische Selbstbeobachtung*). Es handelt sich um eine weniger aggressive Herangehensweise, die sich sehr für die Mitmenschen interessiert. An Beziehungsaufbau interessiert ist. Ich denke, dass sich davon gut und gerne mehr Scheiben abgeschnitten werden sollten.
Warum aber "nur" 3 Sterne? Das Buch möchte Biografie und Führungsbuch zugleich sein, was in meinen Augen dazu führt, dass es nichts davon wirklich gut ist. Während die biografischen Aspekte zu erklärend und fast rechtfertigend werden, zumal nicht chronologisch erzählt und mit riesigen Sprüngen versehen, ist der Führungsteil wieder zu spezifisch und kaum übertragbar. Netter Versuch seinerseits, am Ende jedes Kapitels als Liste die wichtigsten Learnings der "Ruhigen Philosophie" aufzulisten. Das Gesamtkonzept packt mich aber nicht.
Daher ist es auf jeden Fall ein Buch mit schlauen Gedanken und man macht keinen Fehler damit, es zu lesen. Aus den Socken gehauen hat es mich persönlich aber nicht.
Warum aber "nur" 3 Sterne? Das Buch möchte Biografie und Führungsbuch zugleich sein, was in meinen Augen dazu führt, dass es nichts davon wirklich gut ist. Während die biografischen Aspekte zu erklärend und fast rechtfertigend werden, zumal nicht chronologisch erzählt und mit riesigen Sprüngen versehen, ist der Führungsteil wieder zu spezifisch und kaum übertragbar. Netter Versuch seinerseits, am Ende jedes Kapitels als Liste die wichtigsten Learnings der "Ruhigen Philosophie" aufzulisten. Das Gesamtkonzept packt mich aber nicht.
Daher ist es auf jeden Fall ein Buch mit schlauen Gedanken und man macht keinen Fehler damit, es zu lesen. Aus den Socken gehauen hat es mich persönlich aber nicht.
March 19, 2018
A well-written book which describes Ancelotti's approach to football management in the high profile teams he has managed over the years in Europe's top 5 leagues. Although a bit boring in places, there are some excellent tips on management and life in general, such as being empathetic towards others instead of enforcing the fact that 'I am the boss, do as I say.' The anecdotes shared by other people are humorous, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic asking Ancelotti 'Do you believe in God?' and on receiving an affirmative reply, saying 'Then believe in me.'
May 11, 2019
This is more of a conventional "business book" than a book on Ancelotti's leading style. This book has been written exactly how Ancelotti appears - stern and direct. A bit disappointing on the flow of the writing style, but the book feels like a direct dialogue with Ancelotti. The leadership insights are quite conventional - lead by example, manage talents, manage leadership expectations etc. It almost appears that the leadership lessons are being force-fitted in Carlo's life. A life story like Carlo's could have been otherwise been interesting, inspiring had it been put down well - with the reader left to draw the lesson. However, the book tries too hard to become a "leadership lesson" book and thus fails to do justice to Ancelotti's story.
October 20, 2020
Un libro che parla anche di calcio(data la provenienza del protagonista) ma non è un libro sul calcio. Rivive e approfondisce il modo di intendere la leadership da parte di uno degli allenatori più vincenti della storia. Personalmente ritengo che la leadership sia un argomento troppo generico e estemporaneo per valutare la bontà del contenuto di un libro; se vi piace Ancelotti come personaggio sicuramente consigliato, se vi sta antipatico vi sembrerà di leggere solo stupidaggini
August 21, 2022
I read a quote from this everyday to my workers and they probably hate it or cringe, but you know what, they have zero champions league titles, zero prem league titles, zero bundesliga titles, zero Ligue 1 titles, zero La Liga Titles and zero Serie A titles.
Carlo has all of them and he has done it too without being obnoxious or eccentric. Which is the trend among leaders today
Be more like Carlo
Carlo has all of them and he has done it too without being obnoxious or eccentric. Which is the trend among leaders today
Be more like Carlo
May 12, 2024
What a thrilling experience, this reading provides a good combination of knowledge, experiences, tips, and the history of football, and, of course, the history of Carlo Ancelotti but most importantly, an explanation of how this man has such success as manager, and most important, his vision and his behavior as a human being.
You only have to see his achievements over time, and nowadays with Real Madrid, but understanding how he creates that kind of connection to the players and staff, only helps you to understand his success and to have nothing but admiration for him.
You only have to see his achievements over time, and nowadays with Real Madrid, but understanding how he creates that kind of connection to the players and staff, only helps you to understand his success and to have nothing but admiration for him.
April 10, 2024
Very nice book with a lot of details of his life from young age and how his family tried to get by with the bare minimum until how he became one of the most successful managers in the history of football. You get to know the simple man, behind the mastermind manager, who is in fact the reason why he became so successful. The only reason I don't give a 5 star is because when other people said their opinion about him it became a little bit repatitve so it was like reading the same kind of thing but from a different perspective.
July 5, 2025
Obviously an exceptional man and manager, with the key lessons here being: leadership is all about relationships, not to worry about things out of your control, and leave a place better than you found it.
Nothing too spectacular about the book. Anecdotes are all largely the same, despite a good lot, and being a quiet chap doesn't bring the same boom to the book. Pleasant read.
Nothing too spectacular about the book. Anecdotes are all largely the same, despite a good lot, and being a quiet chap doesn't bring the same boom to the book. Pleasant read.
May 9, 2020
Wonderful book about Ancelotti, his man management and view of life. It seems to be very much in correlation with his management style in a view of a bystander. In my opinion it is well written and writers have managed to accomplish exactly the objective, I liked that it isn't only about being a football manager but also how to be leader in general, that can be followed also in business. Actually the "Quiet leadership" is very easy to follow, at least in theory. Treat everybody with the same respect and you will be respected. Although you have to do it genuinely. If you fake it, you won't make it.
October 5, 2022
Great insights into the mind of the best football coaches of all time. I really liked how the book's chapters are split into two sections: part of the philosophy followed by the comment of one of Carlos players, teammates and opponents (including CR7, Zlatan, Pirlo to name a few).
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