Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo Ancelotti, may soon stand on his own for the first time as a head coach. Botafogo is working on bringing the assistant coach of the Brazilian national team to the club as their head coach.
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Davide Ancelotti, the 35-year-old son of legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti, may soon take a significant step in his career by finally stepping out of his father's long shadow.
After more than a decade of working alongside and under his father at some of Europe's biggest clubs, Davide is now being linked with a high-profile opportunity to become a head coach in his own right. According to reports, Brazilian club Botafogo is keen on appointing him as their next manager, marking what would be his first solo venture in top-level management.
Davide’s coaching journey began in January 2012, when he joined Carlo’s staff at Paris Saint-Germain. At the time, he was just 22 years old and took on the role of fitness coach. While many saw his inclusion as a clear product of nepotism, Davide quietly proved his worth behind the scenes, gaining the respect of players and staff for his work ethic and tactical insight. When Carlo moved to Real Madrid in 2013, Davide followed, continuing in the same capacity. There, he experienced the pressure and expectations that come with coaching at one of the most successful and scrutinized clubs in the world. He was part of the backroom team that guided Real Madrid to their historic tenth UEFA Champions League title in 2014, an experience that helped shape his perspective on elite football management.
It was during Carlo's tenure at Bayern Munich that Davide officially took on the role of assistant coach for the first time. This marked a turning point in his career, as he began to take on greater tactical responsibilities, regularly engaging with players, planning training sessions, and even leading some of them himself. He continued to serve as his father's trusted right-hand man during subsequent spells at Napoli, Everton, and again at Real Madrid. His calm demeanor, analytical mind, and ability to communicate clearly with players earned him praise within the game. Since the summer of 2024, he has been working as an assistant coach with the Brazilian national team, helping prepare the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under Carlo’s leadership.
Despite his relatively young age, Davide Ancelotti now boasts an enviable résumé, having worked in top-tier football environments across several of Europe's elite leagues and now within the international setup. Yet, for all his experience, he has never before taken on the pressure and responsibility of being the number one man in the dugout. That could soon change if Botafogo succeeds in prying him away from the Brazilian national team setup.
The Rio de Janeiro-based club is looking for a new head coach following the dismissal of Renato Paiva, who was let go after the team’s disappointing exit from the Club World Cup. Botafogo, now under the ownership of American businessman John Textor, is undergoing a period of ambition and transition. Textor, who also has investments in Crystal Palace (England), Olympique Lyonnais (France), and RWD Molenbeek (Belgium), has been outspoken about his plans to modernize and internationalize Botafogo’s approach, including attracting foreign managerial talent.
Bringing in Davide Ancelotti would certainly fit that vision. His tactical education under Carlo Ancelotti is widely respected, and his experience working with some of the best players in the world gives him a unique foundation for success. But the move would not come without challenges. Managing Botafogo is no easy task the club has earned a reputation as a revolving door for coaches in recent years. Since Textor's takeover in early 2022, the club has already cycled through six managers, with an average tenure of only six months per coach. The volatility and pressure of the Brazilian league, combined with the passionate expectations of Botafogo supporters, create a high-risk environment for any new coach, especially one making his debut as a head coach.
Only one of those recent coaches, the Portuguese Luís Castro, managed to stay in the job for a full year. Even he eventually left, lured away by a more stable and lucrative offer abroad. This pattern of instability raises questions about whether Botafogo is the right environment for someone like Davide to begin his managerial journey or whether the pressures could overwhelm a young coach still finding his voice.
Nevertheless, sources suggest that discussions have already begun between Botafogo and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) regarding Davide’s potential release. Given his current role as assistant to the national team, any move would require coordination and likely the blessing of his father. There is also the consideration of timing: Brazil is in a critical preparation phase for the upcoming World Cup, and losing a key figure from the technical staff might be viewed as disruptive.
Still, the opportunity to launch his own managerial career in Brazil one of football’s most passionate and talent-rich countries could be too tempting for Davide Ancelotti to pass up. A successful stint at Botafogo could be the first chapter in what many believe is an inevitable path toward managing in Europe one day, perhaps even at one of the clubs he once served as assistant.
For now, the football world waits to see whether the younger Ancelotti is ready to take the leap and finally build his own legacy away from the sideline where he has so often stood beside his father.
Updated: 11:27, 6 Jul 2025
