Football Managers Whose Tactical Innovation Could Win UCL

The world of football is constantly evolving and, as we approach the latter stages of the 2023 Champions League, the tactics and strategies of the continent’s top coaches are more important than ever.

While some may rely on a traditional approach, others like to push the boundaries of existing coaching, looking for that extra edge to get them all the way to the final.

FootTheBall assesses which coaches have got in them to win the UCL this year or the future editions of the competition – who are likely to do to get their hands on the famous silverware. From bold formations to intricate set pieces, here’s a round-up of what to look out for.

Pep Guardiola

The best coaches impose a strategy blueprint across all club teams so that all coaches and youth players are prepared if they have to step up to a senior role. Trying out new tactical ideas in youth teams is also a low-risk way of seeing what works and what doesn’t: something card players might do when playing free blackjack ahead of placing money down on the real thing. 

Pep Guardiola is the master of this club-wide ethos, with youth players like Rico Lewis coming through as an oven-ready replacement for the outgoing Cancelo this season. The local youngster has made his mark in a system where full-backs are essential and an eye for a quick pass a must. 

The team are also riding the crest of a goal-laden wave after putting seven past RB Leipzig in the round of 16 and 3 past Bayern Munich. The red-hot form of Erling Haaland almost makes Guardiola’s tactics irrelevant if City can find a way to get the ball to their prolific Norwegian forward enough. 

With Manchester City’s unbeaten run for the last 20 games in all competitions, this could be coming 🥶😬#MCFC #RealMadrid #Haaland pic.twitter.com/BTbdG3XJz4

— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) May 7, 2023

Luciano Spalletti

Napoli have broken the stereotype of Italian teams grinding out 1-0 wins during his tenure. While still having a rock-solid defence, Spalletti’s men had scored 60 goals by mid-March, only nine fewer than Milan won the Serie A with last season.

They’ve continued this form in Europe too, scoring an average of just over three goals a game, including a six-goal demolition of Ajax. Much of this is down to Spalletti’s high pressing and tendency to use the width of the pitch to create space and stretch the opposition’s defence. This is often achieved through overlapping runs from full-backs and wingers, creating…