Once one of the top managers in world football, the former player and Italian manager Fabio Capello won a breadth of titles across the Serie A and La Liga. Here we highlight some of the best club players to play underneath one of the elite coaches of all time.
Paolo Maldini @ AC Milan
During Capello’s two stints as AC Milan coach, he and Paolo Maldini won every kind of major trophy there was including four Serie A titles, three Italian Supercups, and the 93/94 Champions League. Of course, the legendary defender Paolo Maldini kept on winning even in Capello’s absence, adding three more Serie A titles, four more Champions League titles, and two more Italian Supercups.
Gianluigi Buffon @ Juventus
Perhaps no one embodies the Juventus spirit more than Gianluigi Buffon, who made over 500 appearances in the Black and White kit. The dignified goalkeeper won nine Serie A titles — two with Capello — a Serie B title with Juventus in forced relegation, five Coppa Italia titles, and UEFA Europa League Cup. He set a league-best 21 clean sheets in the 2011-12 season and holds the record for clean sheets in Serie A.
Alessandro Del Piero @ Juventus
Under the reign of Fabio Capello, Mr. Juventus Alessandro Del Piero won back to back Serie A titles from 2004 – 2006. Due to the Calciopoli scandal, however, the titles were later revoked. Del Piero made an astounding 705 appearances with the club, scoring 290 goals for the black and white. Captaining Juventus for 11 of his 19 years, he led Juventus back into the Serie A after the enforced relegation during the 2006-07 season. His silverware includes six Serie A championships, one Champions League, and one Coppa Italia.
Francesco Totti @ AS Roma
Known as the ‘The Golden Boy’ or Gladiator, or simply the Captain, Francesco Totti grew up in Rome destined to play for the Giallorossi side. The one club man, he played a remarkable 786 games for Roma, spanning 25 years that saw him win the Serie A title under Fabio Capello, two Italian cups, and two Supercoppa titles. His 250 goals place him as second in Serie A history.
Cafu @ AC Milan
The Brazilian full-back was a threat down the right flank, earning the nickname Il Pendolino (“The Express Train”) during his six seasons at the club. He and Capello helped Roma win the team’s first Scudetto in 18 years.
Ruud Gullit @ AC Milan
The 1987 Ballon d’Or winner won two league titles and two Italian Super Cups with manager Fabio Capello at the helm. Pre-Capello, Guillit along with fellow Dutch players Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, won a pair of European Cups from 88 – 90 seasons and an Italian league title during the 1987/88 season.
Raúl @ Real Madrid
Considered one of the greatest Spanish players of all time for his ball control and knack for goal, Raul broke into the Real Madrid first team as a 17-year-old. But Capello helped turn him into a superstar, winning two La Liga together as player and coach. Raúl spent 16 years with Los Blancos, scoring 323 goals which rank him fifth on the all-time scoring La Liga list behind Ronaldo and Messi. The 6-time La Liga Champion also starred in 3 Champions League wins and four Spanish Super Cups.
Zlatan Ibrahimović @Juventus
Zlatan Ibrahimović and Fabio Capello spent two years together at Juventus as player and coach, winning back to back titles from 2004 to 2006 although the titles were later rescinded due to the Calciopoli scandal.
Marco van Basten @ AC Milan
Considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Marco van Basten played six years for the Rossoneri bowing out with 201 domestic league appearances and 124 goals to his name. During his time at the San Siro, he won three league titles — two with Capello — plus he also won the 1992 Ballon d’Or, a pair of European Cups, three Italian Cups, and was a two-time UEFA Supercup winner.
Ronaldo @ Real Madrid
Fabio Capello held two-year-long stints as coach of Los Blancos, a decade apart. On the second experience in 2006/07 season, he coached who be believed to be the best player he’d ever seen: Ronaldo. The Brazilian helped Capello and team in the league, Capello’s second league victory with Real Madrid.
Roberto Carlos @ Real Madrid
The Brazilian defender won two La Liga titles in the two years that Fabio Capello coach Los Blancos. Considered one of the best left-back in history, Carlos finished his Real career winning four domestic league trophies and Champions League three times.
