Davide Ancelotti has stepped down from his role as head coach of Botafogo, leaving fans and pundits puzzled after a brief tenure at the Brazilian club.
The 36-year-old had been attempting to forge his own path in management, moving on from assisting his father, Carlo Ancelotti, at prestigious clubs such as Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid.
He still continues to work with his father for the Brazilian national team.
A Mixed Record in the Brazilian Serie A
Davide’s stint in Rio de Janeiro was far from disastrous, but it fell short of expectations.
He guided Botafogo to 15 wins, 10 draws, and 8 defeats, yet the team failed to secure a top-five finish in the Brazilian Serie A, missing automatic qualification to the CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage.
While results were solid, speculation swirled that disagreements with the board may have hastened his departure.
The Club’s Statement
Botafogo kept things short and formal on social media:
“Davide Ancelotti is no longer the coach of the main team.
The physical trainer Luca Guerra and assistants Luis Tevenet and Andrew Mangan are also leaving. The decision was made after meetings this Wednesday.
The club thanks Ancelotti for his professionalism and commitment and wishes him success in future challenges.”
The statement gave little away about whether the exit was mutual, leaving observers to read between the lines.
Behind the Scenes Tensions
Reports in Brazil suggest friction arose when the club decided to part ways with fitness coach Luca Guerra, a member of staff Davide reportedly considered “indispensable.”
Coupled with questions over his training methods and fixture management, the atmosphere may have become untenable for the young Italian manager.
A Glimpse of a Promising Career
Before joining Botafogo, Davide was widely regarded as one of Europe’s more interesting up-and-coming coaching prospects.
His name had been linked to positions such as the then-vacant Rangers managerial role.
While his tenure in Brazil was short-lived, it added valuable experience to his coaching résumé.
Tied to Brazil Through Carlo
Although his immediate future remains uncertain, Davide will continue working in Brazil as part of his father’s national team setup.
Carlo Ancelotti, who took charge of Brazil’s Selecao over the summer, has already begun talks to extend his initial one-year deal, which currently runs until the summer of 2026.
Brazil National Team Form Under Carlo
Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil have recorded four wins, two draws, and two losses so far.
With the World Cup cycle underway and preparations for future competitions ongoing, Davide will still have opportunities to hone his managerial skills within one of football’s most passionate environments.
What’s Next for Davide
While the exact next steps for Ancelotti Jr. are unclear, the experience at Botafogo — even if brief and complicated — adds to his growing profile.
Whether he returns to Europe for a new managerial challenge or continues to develop alongside his father in Brazil, all eyes remain on the youngest Ancelotti as he seeks to carve his own path in football management.
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