Turning 60 is a good time to retire. To enjoy those well-deserved months and years of your spare time, playing with your grandchildren, going for long walks, playing chess or cards with friends, watching soap operas with your significant other…Basically, it means enjoying life to its fullest after decades of hard, dedicated work. One would say that’s the only logical way since you’re no longer capable of staying at the expected level.And then, there are those three.Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Luis Mendilibar and Gian Piero Gasperini are defying odds and age, proving that it’s just a number.The youngest of them is Mendilibar, the 63-year-old Spaniard at the helm of Olympiakos. On Wednesday night, his Olympiakos won the UEFA Europa Conference League title after beating Fiorentina 1-0.UECL: Historic night in Greece for the Greeks! El Kaabi crowns Olympiacos as champions!Just a few months older than Mendilibar is Real Madrid’s impeccable boss Ancelotti, 64. He’s the most decorated manager in UCL history, having won the trophy a record four times as coach, and Carletto is on the verge of the fifth title as Real Madrid are about to face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in this season’s showdown.##NAJAVA_MECA_8130310##Last but not least, the oldest of those old ones, Gasperini, recently won his first major trophy, the UEFA Europa League crown, with Atalanta at the age of 66.It just goes to show how, in sports, specifically in football, experience is much more than a virtue. Of course, it doesn’t mean their younger colleagues don’t stand a chance against the oldies, but especially in those “long-distance races”, like European competitions, accumulated experience and maturity prove to be essential ingredients for future success.Gasperini: I appreciate the interest from Napoli but I stay faithful to AtalantaExamples of Mendilibar and Gasperini are even more stunning than Ancelotti since the latter has been at the highest stage for decades. Unlike Real Madrid’s boss, the above-mentioned duo kept their low profile during that time, spending most of their respective coaching careers in mediocre sides in Italy and Spain, often levitating between the top division and the second tier. Interestingly enough, even shockingly, they’ve peaked in years when most of their peers are fishing and engaging in similar activities for elders.José Luis Mendilibar. Has coached just 15 UEFA matches in his entire career. Has won 2 UEFA trophies. What a legend. pic.twitter.com/OZhv6fpkor— Euan McTear (@emctear) May 29, 2024 One should warn Borussia Dortmund’s boss, Edin Terzic, he’s only 41. He’ll face the 64-year-old on Saturday. In recent weeks, those ‘youngsters’ Xabi Alonso, 42, and Vincenzo Italiano, 46, were swept by grandpas. Those 40s are the time for going through a middle-age crisis, not winning major trophies. Football is a country for an old man.##NAJAVA_MECA_8130720##
