From Villalonga To Enrique: Full List Of Managers To Have Defended UCL Crown

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Last Updated:May 31, 2026, 19:39 IST

Enrique became the first coach since former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to successfully defend the title, joining an elite group of managers.

PSG edged Arsenal 4-3 on penalties to retain their UEFA Champions League crown, after the sides remained level even after extra time in the showpiece final of the continental competition in Budapest on Saturday. Manager Luis Enrique became the first coach since former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to successfully defend the title, joining an elite group that includes legendary figures such as Jose Villalonga and Luis Carniglia, who also guided Los Blancos to European Cup glory, Benfica’s Bela Guttmann, Inter great Helenio Herrera, Ajax mainstay Stefan Kovacs, Bayern’s Dettmar Cramer, Liverpool icon Bob Paisley, Nottingham Forest maestro Brian Clough, and AC Milan idol Arrigo Sacchi.

PSG's head coach Luis Enrique lifts the trophy celebrating after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr Josek)

PSG's head coach Luis Enrique became the latest coach to win the prestigious continental championship as PSG edged out Arsenal on Penalties. (AP Photo/Petr Josek)

Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane led the Spanish heavyweights to an unprecedented three-peat as he clinched the title thrice between 2016, 2017, and 2018. (X)

Iconic AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi helped the Serie A giants defend the prized piece of silverware in 1989, and 1990. (x)

English stalwart Brian Clough helmed the Nottingham Forst side that lifted the European trophy in the 1979 and 1980. (x)

Liverpool treasure Bob Paisley helped the Reds to the summit of Europe with his European Cup wins in 1977, and 1978. (x)

Bayern Munich legend Dettmar Cramer spearheaded the Bavarian giants' title thrust and eventual defence in the years 1975, and 1976. (X)

Romanian icon Stefan Kovacs steered Dutch side Ajax to European supremacy in 1972, and 1973. (x)

Helenio Herrera led Serie A heavyweights Inter Milan to the European crown in 1964, and 1965. (X)

Hungarian icon Bela Guttmann helped Benfica to the title in 1961, and 1962 before his relationship with the Portuguese club soured. (x)

Luis Carniglia emulated Villalonga as he helped Real Madrid assert their superiority in Europe with successful runs in 1958, and 1959. (x)

Real Madrid idol Jose Villalonga was the first man to win the European Cup and go on to defend the illustrious piece of silverware with his triumphs in 1956, and 1957. (x)

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