Luis Enrique, along with Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta, are among the favourites to win the Champions League, despite being relatively new to their respective clubs. However, the article notes that experience matters, citing the examples of Carlo Ancelotti, who began both of his stints at Real Madrid by winning the Champions League in his first season, and Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, who also won the competition with Barcelona at the earliest opportunity.
The article also highlights the contrasting fortunes of new and experienced managers in the competition, with 14 clubs led by managers who have been in the role for less than a year, and 14 clubs led by managers who have been in charge for at least two years. The combined total of the 24 least experienced managers in the competition adds up to fewer than José Mourinho, who has recorded 160 matches in the Champions League, the fifth most in history, will bring to Madrid.
Mourinho, who is now the manager of Real Madrid, will be confident of going past the last 16 for the first time since 2014 given the talent at his disposal. The first target for all managers is to finish above the playoff places, with 16 points in the league phase proven enough to secure an automatic spot in the last 16.