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The 2019 AFC Asian Cup will kick off on January 5, 2019, with the hosts UAE crossing swords with Bahrain in the curtain opener.
The 11 men taking the field will transform into gladiators as they would fight for the most coveted prize of Asia. But, behind the attacking adroitness and defensive discipline of these gladiators will be the guiding lights of their managers, whose tactics these war brethren will adhere to.
Also Read: 10 Youngsters to watch out in the 2019 Asian Cup
While India will be commanded by Stephen Constantine, whose most notable achievement is breaking the Blue Tigers into the top 100 of FIFA rankings, these coaches have the Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup title in their resume.
#3 Alberto Zaccheroni (UAE)
Nationality - Italy
Team managing - The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Previous notable clubs and countries managed - Bologna, Udinese, AC Milan, Lazio, Inter Milan, Torino, Juventus, Japan national football team
Achievements - Winning the 1998-99 Serie A with AC Milan, 2010 AFC Asian Cup with the Japan football team
Alberto Zaccheroni never had a stellar career as a player and, an unfortunate injury forced him to turn into a coach at a young age of 30. Thirty-five years later, he still remains one of the most revered managers of the world.
The Italian was one of the pioneering managers to successfully implement the 3-4-3 formation in world football in the mid-90s. But, that tactic proved futile in Asian football.
He was forced to line up Japan in a 4-2-3-1 formation that awarded them the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. After his time with the Blue Samurais ended, he headed towards China where he managed the Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan.
He tried a 3-man defence with the Arabian side UAE too, but his players could find the back of the net only once in eight matches, that too through a penalty. Realizing that none of the clubs in the Arabian Gulf League plays with three defenders in the back, he was forced to have a four-man back line in the ensuing matches.
It resulted in the Whites winning 3-0 against Laos, holding 62nd-ranked Honduras 1-1, 59th-ranked Bolivia 0-0, and losing 2-0 to 31st ranked Venezuela. The 82nd-ranked team isn't the favourite to clinch the trophy. But with Zaccheroni at the helm, a semi-final finish is at least expected.
#2 Hector Cuper (Uzbekistan)
Nationality - Argentina
Team managing - Uzbekistan
Previous notable clubs and countries managed - RCD Mallorca, Valencia, Inter Milan, Real Betis, Parma, Racing Santander, Al Wasl FC, Egypt national football team
Achievements - Winning the Spanish Super Cup with RCD Mallorca in 1998 and Valencia in 1999, La Liga coach of the year in 1999, UEFA Club coach of the year in 2000, European coach of the year in 2000, Finishing runners-up with Egypt in the 2017 African Cup of Nations
Another nomad who found prominence and fame in Europe but decided to try the uncharted territories of Asia and Africa is Hector Cuper. Under his tutelage, Egypt qualified for the FIFA World Cup after a gap of 28 years.
When he was in charge of Egypt, the team played defensively and pounced on the counter. But they lost all the three matches using it in the FIFA World Cup and, he was sacked.
Hector Cuper was appointed as the manager of Uzbekistan football team on August 1, 2018, and the White Wolves resorted to defensive tactics. Apart from the 1-0 loss against Iran and 4-0 loss against South Korea, Uzbekistan haven't lost any other match under him.
They like to sit down deep in the first half and catch their opponents off-guard in the second. This has worked wonders for them and, no one other than Hector Cuper should take the credit.
#1 Marcello Lippi (China)
Nationality - Italy
Team managing - China
Previous notable clubs and countries managed - Napoli, Juventus, Inter Milan, Italy national football team, Guangzhou Evergranade
Achievements - Winning the Serie A with Juventus five times, UEFA Champions League in 1995-96, Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergranade 3 times, AFC Champions League in 2013, the first coach to win both UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup
Out of the 24 managers leading their teams in UAE, Marcello Lippi is the most respected, dreaded and accomplished one.
However, he hasn't achieved the same amount of success with the Chinese national team as of now. China likes to attack from the wings and, the full-backs love to overlap. After a 6-0 and 4-1 drubbing through the hands of Wales and the Czech Republic respectively, the Chinese side managed to find the back of the net only four times in next seven times.
However, with the experience of Lippi on their side, China can hurt the other team when it matters the most. China will be the dark horse of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and, the oppositions should be wary about them.
