The Italian will surpass the Scot's record and could reach the 200 mark next season if he continues in charge of Los Blancos, as Florentino Pérez recently promised.

Ancelotti is synonymous with football. He was not bad as a player and has already set several records in the dugout. Whatever happens in the tie against Manchester City, his figure at the Santiago Bernabéu will be legendary.

He won the Champions League in 2014, repeated his success in 2022 and recently won the Copa del Rey, a competition that seemed forgotten. In addition, they also won La Liga last season with a huge margin over Barcelona.

The Italian has been a coach for more than two decades and has almost always been at the helm of clubs with high aspirations - Milan in Italy, Bayern Munich in Germany, Chelsea in England or Paris Saint-Germain in France.

But just when he seemed to be taking a step backwards in leading Everton, who are now fighting for safety in the Premier League, Madrid came along again.

Ancelotti has now made 190 appearances in the continental competition and has equalled the record set by Ferguson, who retired has been retired since 2013.

With just the second leg against City, he will have surpassed the former Manchester United man. Just two games behind him is Arséne Wenger, who is now FIFA's director of global football development. His place on the podium is guaranteed in the short term.

Following on are the still-active Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho. The Catalan has 159 and will add one more next Wednesday, which will put him in fourth place.

The Portuguese, on the other hand, competed last season in the Conference and now competes in the Europa League, the conquest of which would allow him to extend his Champions League legend (151 to date).