Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti has suggested being the head coach of Real Madrid is “the greatest thing in the world” in his eyes. 

The iconic Italian tactician spent two seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium between 2013 and 2015, steering Los Blancos to UEFA Champions League glory at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.

And he thinks the ultimate aspiration of any coach in the game should be to take charge of the Primera Division giants, per Marca (h/t Football Espana):

Every self-respecting coach should manage Real Madrid sometime in their life. In my experience, it is the greatest thing in the world - a very nice, almost unique experience. 

What happens in Madrid does not happen at any other club, the worldwide support is breathtaking. Everywhere we appeared - hotels, airports, stadiums - were full of fans, it is an experience worth living.

Ancelotti will be forever etched into the club’s history following his time there. Not only did he beat local rivals Atletico Madrid in the aforementioned Champions League final, he will always be the man who steered the team to their 10th European Cup win.

It ended a 12-year drought in the Champions League for Real. Indeed, the last manager before Ancelotti to win the tournament was Vicente del Bosque; Los Blancos went through 10 other coaches before the Italian brought home La Decima.

Ancelotti was let go by Madrid at the end of the 2014-15 season, with Real failing to replicate the success of his first campaign. Despite that, the 57-year-old suggested he thoroughly enjoyed his two seasons in the Spanish capital.

"Those two years (at the club) were very nice. Yes, they were very intense but also very nice," he added. "There is an unconditional love worldwide to Real Madrid, and I was honoured to be a part of that."

He has since replaced Pep Guardiola at Bayern, and after a 6-0 win over Werder Bremen in his first Bundesliga game in charge, he looks poised to enjoy even more success in Germany.

Bleacher Report UK recently reminded us of the calibre of club and player Ancelotti has worked with during his illustrious managerial career:

Those coaches who have been ruthlessly axed by Madrid without enjoying the success of Ancelotti may not agree with his effusive praise of the club. 

Indeed, former boss Rafael Benitez, who was replaced by current manager Zinedine Zidane, was critical of the role played by Real president Florentino Perez in an interview with BT Sport (h/t Mark Dobson of the Guardian) earlier this year, suggesting he’s a "permanent presence" around the club.

Even so, Real Madrid is an institution geared towards winning, and if you can do that as a manager, you’ll be remembered fondly and adored by the Madridistas. Ancelotti, evidently, felt that love during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.