MANCHESTER UNITED’S legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson has finally lost his long-standing Champions League record.
Real Madrid gaffer Carlo Ancelotti took charge of a record 215th game in Europe‘s top-flight – surpassing Ferguson’s tally of 214 managed.
Ancelotti – who holds the record for most Champions League titles won – has now eclipsed Fergie‘s 11-year record.
Of Ferguson’s 214 European nights, 194 came in the main competition – in other words from the group or beyond.
The Scot, now 82, also oversaw eight qualifying ties and 12 European Cup games, winning 115, losing 50 and drawing 49 across the board.
Ferguson first triumphed when United won England’s first Treble in 1999 – as the Red Devils produced a late stoppage-time comeback against Bayern.
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The second came nine years later in Moscow, with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in 2008.
But many would argue that winning the 1983 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup with Aberdeen was an even greater achievement.
Meanwhile, it was another record-breaking night for Ancelotti before kick-off, but he won’t be too excited as his side were comfortably beaten 2-0 at Anfield.
The great Italian is the most successful manager in Champions League history, having won the trophy a record five times as boss plus twice more as a player.
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Ancelotti was also the one to surpass Ferguson’s previous record for the most games won as manager in Europe‘s most-loved competition.
The Madrid boss won his 116th European game against in the group stage against Braga last October.
He is also the only manager to take part in six Champions League finals, losing only once when his AC Milan team blew a 3-0 lead against Liverpool in 2005.
Liverpool’s statement victory on Wednesday night sees new boss Arne Slot again achieve a feat that Jurgen Klopp never did.
Klopp, who quit Anfield in May, NEVER beat Los Blancos during his nine year spell in charge of Liverpool – including two finals.
But Slot managed to overcome the club’s hoodoo in his first attempt.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo saw the Reds keep their 100 per cent record in Europe this season.
Anfield erupted when Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty at 1-0, while Mo Salah’s head briefly went down when he put his own wide with the game still on a kinfe-edge.
The win means Liverpool extend their perfect start and remain top of the competition’s new 36-team league, while holders Madrid suffered their third defeat in five games and now face a battle to qualify.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
