Published on Jul 14, 2025
Davide Ancelotti, long regarded as one of the most quietly influential assistants in European football, has officially stepped into the spotlight. The 35-year-old son of Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed head coach of Botafogo, taking on his first senior managerial role at a club hungry for structure, identity, and results.
But this isn’t just a new job it’s a balancing act. In addition to his duties in Rio, Ancelotti will continue to serve as assistant coach for the Brazilian national team, a role he’s held since joining his father’s Seleção staff in 2025. The dual role, agreed upon by both club and country, will see Davide juggle day-to-day management with periodic national team commitments leading into the 2026 World Cup.
Davide’s name has hovered in the background of some of Europe’s biggest clubs for nearly a decade. From Bayern Munchen to Napoli, from Everton to Real Madrid, he’s been by his father’s side an assistant coach with growing tactical influence, respected by players, and known for his composure under pressure.
Now, Botafogo have handed him the reins and with it, the responsibility of guiding one of Brazil’s most historic clubs back to relevance.
He arrives with a well-rounded backroom staff that includes Luis Tevenet, Andy Mangan, and Luca Guerra a mix of tactical minds from Spain, England, and Croatia.
Although his appointment was only just made official, Ancelotti’s fingerprints were all over Botafogo’s recent 2–0 win against Vasco da Gama. Due to administrative delays, interim coach Cláudio Caçapa was officially listed on the team sheet, but it was Davide calling the shots from behind the scenes.
Players noted the immediate shift: greater control in midfield, disciplined shape without the ball, and more intent in transition. Those who know him best describe his style as “calculated but fluid” rooted in analysis, but shaped by instinct.
The arrangement with the CBF is unprecedented but deliberate. Ancelotti will lead Botafogo full-time while remaining part of Brazil’s national team staff, joining camps and matches when the calendar allows. The federation views his club experience as beneficial to Brazil’s World Cup preparations, while Botafogo gain a tactician exposed to the inner workings of elite international football.
According to sources close to the club, all parties Botafogo, the CBF, and the Ancelotti family were aligned in designing the dual-role structure. It’s a clear sign of the trust being placed in a coach still carving out his own identity.
It’s impossible to separate Davide Ancelotti from the legacy of his father Carlo Ancelotti, a man who has lifted Champions League titles across multiple clubs and continents. But those who’ve worked with Davide are quick to dismiss any notions of nepotism. He holds a UEFA Pro License, is deeply respected by players for his one-on-one clarity, and has been credited with several tactical adjustments at Real Madrid in recent seasons.
Now, for the first time, he’s on his own. No safety net. No father figure on the touchline. Just him, a club with high expectations, and a country watching closely.
Botafogo have made a bold move one that could reshape the club’s trajectory. Davide Ancelotti arrives as a first-time manager, but not a novice. He brings with him years of high-level experience, tactical clarity, and an aura of quiet confidence.
His name may open doors but it’s the football he delivers that will define what comes next.
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