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.
