Davide Ancelotti to Take Over as Botafogo Head Coach

Botafogo has reached an agreement with Davide Ancelotti, son of legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti, to become the club’s new head coach. The 35-year-old Italian will lead the Rio de Janeiro side in what will be his first experience as a head coach.

Davide has spent over a decade working alongside his father, serving as assistant coach at major clubs including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, Real Madrid, and most recently with the Brazilian national team. He’s expected to arrive in Brazil this week and will be joined by multiple assistants, though his full staff has yet to be finalized.

While his arrival is imminent, Ancelotti is unlikely to be on the bench for Saturday’s clash with Vasco in the Brasileirão. Assistant Claudio Caçapa is set to take charge for that match.

Although he’s been part of the Brazilian national team’s coaching staff, Davide doesn’t hold an exclusive contract with the CBF, allowing him to accept this club role without conflict.

The hiring comes in the wake of Renato Paiva’s dismissal, following Botafogo’s early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup at the hands of Palmeiras. Owner John Textor reportedly made the change due to dissatisfaction with the team’s style of play.

Davide Ancelotti becomes the seventh head coach in Botafogo’s SAF (football anonymous society) era, which began with the club’s football operations being sold in late 2021. Renato Paiva was the latest to be sacked by the board after the Club World Cup quarter-final loss to Palmeiras: so far, only Luís Castro has lasted more than a year in the role.