Real Madrid's beloved 'Mister Champions' Ancelotti in court

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti faces trial on Wednesday for alleged tax evasion, a potential blot on the career of a widely-loved and uniquely successful figure in football.

The Italian is the most decorated manager in Champions League history, winning it twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007, and then three times with Los Blancos in 2014, 2022 and 2024.

Beating Liverpool in 2022, Ancelotti surpassed former Reds manager Bob Paisley and his Madrid predecessor Zinedine Zidane, who boast three each, to become "Mister Champions".

Ancelotti won the competition twice as a player with Milan, but his exploits as a coach have become the stuff of legend, along with his trophy celebrations -- sunglasses on, cigar in hand on the open-topped parade bus.

The 65-year-old coach is adored by his players, a result of his "quiet leadership", the title of his autobiography.

Ancelotti is rarely flustered, although he admitted he usually feels tension in the hours preceding a Champions League final.

"Before the team talk, the heart rate starts to rise. Up to 110, 120 (beats per minute)," he said ahead of the Wembley final last year.

"Until the game starts. After the game starts, it goes back to its normal rhythm."

- 'Nice, fat, bear' -

Ancelotti coached Reggiana, Parma and Juventus for short spells before arriving at Milan in 2001, departing in 2009 as the club's longest-serving manager.

"Carlo never gets angry," said Italy great Paolo Maldini, who spent five seasons alongside Ancelotti the player and eight under him as a coach.

Ancelotti led Milan to two Champions Leagues as well as a Serie A and cup double.

In 2009 Ancelotti took over at Chelsea, winning the league and FA Cup double and helping the Blues become the first team in the Premier League era to score more than a century of goals in a season.

Ancelotti won the French title with Paris Saint-Germain before taking over at Real Madrid that summer.

He healed wounds in a dressing room that had been set on fire by his predecessor, Jose Mourinho.

Ancelotti earned the support and affection of Real's heavyweights, including Cristiano Ronaldo, on the way to winning the long awaited 'Decima' -- 10th -- Champions League title. 

Madrid president Florentino Perez sacked him the following year, with Ancelotti heading to Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga in 2017 but was sacked early in his second season there after reports he had lost the dressing room.

It was a first for Ancelotti, who is renowned for his closeness to his players.

Maldini once described Ancelotti as a coach as a "nice, fat, bear" incapable of getting angry.

Ancelotti had spells at Napoli and Everton before a surprise return to the elite that even he did not expect.

Speaking to Madrid chief Perez on the phone in 2021 over potential signings for Everton, Ancelotti asked if Los Blancos had selected a new coach to replace the outgoing Zidane.

The Italian reminded Perez of the 'decima' triumph and it set in motion his eventual return to the Bernabeu.

In his second spell at Madrid Ancelotti has won two league titles, the Copa del Rey and two Champions Leagues.

Madrid are firmly in the fight for more silverware this season, with Ancelotti keen to put his legal issues behind him and get his eyes back on the prize.

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