'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABv/aAAgBAQAAAAA6b//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/2gAIAQIQAAAAH//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAIAQMQAAAAf//EACIQAAICAAQHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABQYSERMUISIxsf/aAAgBAQABPwBtJZakvJr5xVewIURIejkO5BGODq7HszEeiPH7Y0baaxK0OabIixKq1ZGIGP/EABoRAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMFISL/2gAIAQIBAT8AuyD1nlRuf//EABoRAQEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAQRYfD/2gAIAQMBAT8ArbqSRB91xn//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Cristiano Ronaldo spent just 26 minutes on the pitch against Chelsea during Michael Carrick's second game in charge at Manchester United. However, many pundits feel justified in Carrick's decision to keep Ronaldo on the bench. They believe the legendary forward is an incredible goalscorer but he cannot blend well with Carrick's high-press tactics.
On many occasions this season, Ronaldo has maintained a solitary position in attack. He has focused on scoring the necessary goals but hardly chased down opponents. Many fans believe the striker should be left to focus on his goalscoring prowess. Some pundits, however, and Carrick clearly expect him to play to energy-draining first-line-of-defense tactics as well.
Clearly, Cristiano Ronaldo won't be a big fan of Michael Carrick's management, especially with the star failing to start against Chelsea. With Ralf Rangnick potentially using similar tactics, chances are the Portuguese maestro might have a progressively difficult season at Old Trafford.
However, the legendary striker has studiously played under many brilliant managers who got the best out of him. While Cristiano Ronaldo struggles to provide impact within tactics he isn't suited to, let's take a look at some of the best managers who have coached him.
#5 Fernando Santos | Portugal national team
The Portuguese manager is popular for guiding Seleccao to a dramatic win at the European Championship in 2016. He also won the Nations League trophy in 2019. However, many aren't familiar with Fernando Santos' history with the Portuguese club Sporting. The then Sporting manager notably played Cristiano Ronaldo against Manchester United, which led to the star's move in 2003.
The duo were reunited in 2014 when Santos was appointed as the manager of the Portugal national team. Together, Santos and Ronaldo have won two important trophies with Seleccao. Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed Santos' reign in Portugal's camp. The star finally picked up his first major international trophy under Fernando Santos.
#4 Carlo Ancelotti | Real Madrid
It was a short stint with Cristiano Ronaldo as Carlo Ancelotti managed Real Madrid for just two seasons. However, their partnership was essential to the Portuguese maestro's growth. Ancelotti notably pushed Cristiano Ronaldo into playing as an all-out striker, rather than sitting in his comfort zone on the wing.
Ancelotti guided Los Galacticos to their first-ever Club World Cup title in 2014. He also ended Real Madrid's 12-year drought for the UEFA Champions League, winning 'La Decima' in 2014. Under the Italian tactical genius, Ronaldo scored an astonishing 112 goals in just 101 games. He set the world alight with his brilliant performances.
#3 Jose Mourinho | Real Madrid
For three scintillating seasons, the Special One and Cristiano Ronaldo lit La Liga and the rest of Europe on fire with otherworldly performances. However, Ronaldo and Mourinho would constantly get into spats and bust-ups due to the tactician's ultra-defensive style of play.
After openly criticizing Mourinho's tactics in 2011, the star manager went ahead and dropped Ronaldo. This forced superstar agent Jorge Mendes to fix things. Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a brilliant stint at the Santiago Bernabeu during Mourinho's era. 168 goals in 164 games is absolutely stunning.
#2 Zinedine Zidane | Real Madrid
Brilliant goalscoring, consistent three points and back-to-back trophy wins - This was the result of pairing the Frenchman with the Portuguese star. The duo joined hands to raise Los Blancos to new heights, winning an unprecedented three successive Champions League titles.
The numerous trophies were a great plus to mixing Zizou with CR7. The Portuguese maestro scored 112 goals in just 114 appearances under Zidane's management.
There was recent notable news of Manchester United looking to convince the star manager to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford. While United have brought in Ralf Rangnick as the new interim, it may still be possible to hire Zidane by the end of the season.
#1 Sir Alex Ferguson | Manchester United
Now back at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo once claimed that the great manager taught him everything. Alex Ferguson brought the teenage prodigy to the Theater of Dreams from Sporting. He handed him the iconic No. 7 jersey worn by George Best and David Beckham and offered him the starting lineup. Ferguson refined the youngster, turning him into a Ballon d'Or candidate within half a decade and providing the world with a legendary star.
Alex Ferguson arguably had the most impact on Cristiano Ronaldo's career. The star went from being little more than a skilled dribbler to becoming one of the most clinical footballers in the world.
During his first stint at Manchester United, Ronaldo ended up with 118 goals in 292 games.
