Davide Ancelotti, son of legendary football coach Carlo Ancelotti, has been appointed as the new head coach of Brazilian side Botafogo. The 35-year-old Italian is embarking on his first full-time head coaching role, signing a contract that extends until the end of 2026. Botafogo, a Rio de Janeiro-based club, made the announcement on Tuesday, marking a new chapter for both Ancelotti and the club.
Ancelotti's appointment comes after Botafogo's owner, John Textor, decided to dismiss Renato Paiva following the team's exit from the Club World Cup. Despite leading the team to the last 16 and even securing a win against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, Paiva's performance was deemed insufficient by the club's board. Botafogo was ultimately eliminated by Brazilian rivals Palmeiras.
Davide Ancelotti has spent over a decade working alongside his father in various coaching roles at prominent European clubs. His journey began in 2012 as a fitness coach at Paris Saint-Germain, where his father was the manager. He followed his father to Real Madrid, serving as an assistant to the club's fitness coach. In 2016, he obtained his UEFA A Licence, graduating at the top of his class. He then took on the position of assistant manager at Bayern Munich, also under his father's leadership. Later, he continued as an assistant at Napoli and Everton before returning to Real Madrid. Most recently, he was appointed as an assistant coach for the Brazil national team, where his father had taken over as head coach.
Botafogo and the Brazilian federation have reached an agreement that allows Davide Ancelotti to continue his work with the national team while managing Botafogo. This dual role will enable him to contribute to Brazil's preparation for the 2026 World Cup while leading Botafogo in their domestic and international campaigns. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) described Davide's appointment as “another step in our search for innovation and technical improvements”. They stated that his “international experience and training methodologies will be fundamental for the players' development and for building an even more competitive team”. Textor recently stated his desire for Botafogo to adopt a more attacking style of play.
Ancelotti's first match in charge of Botafogo is expected to be against Vasco da Gama on Saturday. He inherits a team that is the defending Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champion, setting high expectations for his tenure.
Prior to his appointment at Botafogo, Ancelotti was linked with the managerial position at Glasgow Rangers FC. However, the Scottish club eventually signed Russell Martin. Despite missing out on the Rangers job, Ancelotti has now secured his first head coaching role at a club with a rich history and passionate fanbase.
Davide Ancelotti's move to Botafogo marks a significant step in his coaching career, allowing him to step out of his father's shadow and establish his own identity as a head coach. His experience working with some of the world's top clubs and players, combined with his understanding of his father's tactical philosophies, positions him well for success in Brazil. The football world will be watching to see if he can translate his years as an assistant into a successful managerial career.
