Don't let a few (alleged) bad apples in the Bayern Munich dressing room fool you: Italian coaches are often a guarantee of silverware. Last season Antonio Conteconquered the Premier League, replacing Claudio Ranieri on the throne. Massimo Carrera's Spartak Moscow won their first Russian title since 2001, and recently-ousted Carlo Ancelotti became a German champion at the first try. Massimiliano Allegri guided Juventus to a second Champions League final in three seasons.

Currently, Maurizio Sarri's stylish Napoli top Serie A, Zenit St Petersburg are flying high in Russia with Roberto Mancini at the helm. Defensive demon Ranieri's new team Nantes are fifth in Ligue 1, despite scoring only six goals in eight games. Then there's Christian Panucci in charge of Albania, and 2006 World Cup winning-coach Marcello Lippi overseeing the China national team's drive to be major power. Fabio Capello and Fabio Cannavaro work in the Chinese Super League.