Davide Ancelotti, son of Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti, has been officially named the new manager of Brazilian club Botafogo. The Rio de Janeiro-based side announced the appointment on Tuesday, marking Davide’s first venture as a head coach after spending over a decade working alongside his father at top European clubs.
The 35-year-old has signed a contract with Botafogo until the end of the 2026 season. His arrival comes shortly after the dismissal of former manager Renato Paiva, who was sacked following the club’s elimination in the Round of 16 at the Club World Cup. The decision surprised many, especially considering Paiva had led Botafogo to an earlier victory against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the same competition.
Davide Ancelotti now steps into a high-pressure environment, taking over a team that recently captured the Brazilian league title and its first Copa Libertadores trophy. He brings with him a strong reputation built during his time as assistant manager at Real Madrid, Everton, Napoli, and Bayern Munich. His tactical knowledge, attention to detail, and strong communication with players were praised consistently during his time at Valdebebas, Real Madrid’s training base.
Key Appointment Details:
- Name: Davide Ancelotti
- Age: 35
- Nationality: Italian
- Previous Role: Assistant Coach (Real Madrid, Everton, Napoli, Bayern Munich)
- New Club: Botafogo (Brazil)
- Position: Head Coach / Manager
- Appointment Date: July 8, 2025
- Contract Duration: Until December 2026
- Previous Boss: Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil National Team Manager)
- Replaced: Renato Paiva
Before taking up the Botafogo job, Davide served as an assistant coach to his father, Carlo Ancelotti, at various top European clubs. He was part of the coaching staff during Real Madrid’s recent Champions League title run in 2024 and earned recognition for his set-piece strategies and rapport with players. After Carlo’s appointment as Brazil’s national team coach, both father and son left Real Madrid at the end of the 2024–25 season.
Although he relocated to Brazil to assist his father with the national team, Davide was given permission to leave that role to take charge at Botafogo. This marks the first time Davide Ancelotti will operate without his father on the same bench, though it is expected he will still consult him for guidance throughout his first senior managerial journey.
The path to Botafogo has not been without other opportunities. In recent years, Davide Ancelotti was linked to head coaching roles across Europe. Everton reportedly approached him, along with clubs like Reims, Parma, Como, and Rangers. He was close to landing the Rangers job but lost out to Russell Martin in the final selection stage.
Botafogo’s decision to hand their team over to a first-time manager is bold but not entirely surprising. Davide is widely seen as one of football’s most promising young minds, with years of elite-level experience and success under his belt. His work behind the scenes at Real Madrid, especially during their European campaigns, earned him praise for tactical planning and calm leadership.
While his transition into a leading role comes with pressure, Davide Ancelotti now has the chance to prove himself away from his father’s shadow. With Botafogo aiming to maintain their recent success both domestically and in international competitions, his task will be to continue developing the squad and achieve consistent performances through to 2026.
Botafogo will be hoping that Davide’s fresh ideas and top-level pedigree can guide the club to further titles. His first official match in charge is expected later this month as the Brazilian league resumes following the Club World Cup break.
FAQs
Q1: What is Davide Ancelotti’s coaching experience?
A: Davide Ancelotti has served as an assistant coach at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid, working alongside his father for over a decade.
Q2: When did Botafogo announce Davide Ancelotti as manager?
A: Botafogo officially announced his appointment on July 8, 2025.
Q3: Who did Davide Ancelotti replace at Botafogo?
A: He replaced Renato Paiva, who was sacked following Botafogo’s elimination in the Club World Cup Round of 16.