Luis Enrique clinched his third UEFA Champions League title as a manager after guiding Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to victory over Arsenal in the 2026 final held on Saturday evening.

The French side had to battle much harder this year, unlike their emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the 2025 final.

Arsenal drew first blood when Kai Havertz found the net early, and they went on to restrict PSG from creating many chances throughout the game.

However, the momentum shifted in the second half when Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the penalty area, allowing Ousmane Dembele to level the scores from the spot.

After 120 minutes of end-to-end football, the match remained tied, leading to a penalty shootout. In true Enrique fashion, his players showed composure under pressure and triumphed 4-3 in the shootout.

With this triumph, Enrique joins the elite group of managers who have etched their names into the annals of European football history, becoming only the fifth person ever to achieve this feat.

When Zinedine Zidane took over from Rafa Benitez at Real Madrid, few expected him to make such an impact. His managerial experience was limited to two years with the club’s B team.

Yet, the French legend went on to become one of Los Blancos’ most successful managers, leading them to three consecutive Champions League titles during his first spell in charge — a record that cemented his place among the greats.

It still surprises many that Pep Guardiola has not lifted more Champions League trophies, given the quality of his teams over the years. However, knockout football doesn’t always reward the most dominant sides.

The Catalan tactician burst onto the scene in 2009, steering Barcelona to a historic Treble in his debut season. Two years later, he repeated European glory, defeating Manchester United once again in the final.

Though Guardiola couldn’t reach the final during his three seasons with Bayern Munich, he twice led Manchester City to the summit clash during his decade-long tenure at the Premier League club. After losing to Chelsea in their first final, City finally triumphed in 2023, beating Inter Milan in Istanbul.

For over forty years, Bob Paisley’s record as the most decorated manager in European Cup history remained unmatched. The Liverpool legend lifted the trophy three times with the Reds.

Liverpool’s love affair with the European Cup began in 1977 when they overcame Borussia Monchengladbach. They retained their title the following year, narrowly defeating Club Brugge at Wembley.

Although they were eliminated early by Nottingham Forest in 1979, Paisley’s men returned to glory in 1981, defeating Real Madrid 1-0 in Paris.

Before retiring two years later, Paisley had accumulated six First Division titles, one UEFA Cup, three League Cups, and three European Cups — a testament to his incredible legacy.

When Luis Enrique was appointed Barcelona manager in 2014, many doubted the decision. His previous managerial stints at Roma and Celta Vigo had each lasted just a year.

However, like Guardiola before him, Enrique silenced critics by winning every major trophy in his debut season, including a Champions League triumph over Juventus in 2015 to complete the Treble. He successfully managed to integrate Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar Jr into a devastating attacking trio.

In 2023, Enrique moved to PSG via his spell as Spain’s national coach, tasked with the monumental challenge of finally leading the Parisian club to Champions League success. Despite their financial muscle, PSG had consistently fallen short in Europe prior to his arrival.

Enrique’s high-intensity, pressing-based football initially seemed incompatible with PSG’s star-studded, ego-driven squad. Yet, he managed to instill unity and discipline. Ousmane Dembele, once criticised for his lack of work ethic, has now become the team’s pressing leader.

The departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid proved to be a pivotal moment. While Mbappe’s brilliance was unquestionable, his individualistic approach often clashed with Enrique’s team-first philosophy.

Since Mbappe’s exit, PSG have been unbeaten in Champions League knockout ties, winning back-to-back titles under Enrique’s leadership.

At the top of the managerial mountain stands Carlo Ancelotti, who has captured an incredible five Champions League titles from the dugout.

Having already won two European Cups as a player with AC Milan, Ancelotti added two more as a coach with the Rossoneri — and nearly a third, if not for the infamous Istanbul final of 2005.

Though his stints at Chelsea and PSG didn’t yield the same European success, Ancelotti rediscovered his magic at Real Madrid. He accomplished what many before him could not — delivering the club’s coveted 10th Champions League title in 2014.

That victory sparked a new era of dominance for Real Madrid, though much of it unfolded after his departure in 2015. Returning in 2021, Ancelotti guided the team to two more titles, even without Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad.

Is he the most ingenious tactician ever? Perhaps not. But as a master of man-management and motivation, Carlo Ancelotti’s greatness in football history is virtually unmatched.