Botafogo has concluded negotiations with Davide Ancelotti and is waiting for the coach to officially sign him as the new coach
Botafogo has concluded negotiations with Davide Ancelotti and is waiting for the coach to officially sign him as the new coach. The 35-year-old Italian, son of Carlo Ancelotti, will take over the leadership of a team for the first time, after working for more than a decade as his father’s assistant at clubs such as Bayern, Napoli, Everton and Real Madrid.
The contract will run until the end of 2026, as reported by the Terra portal. The debut date, however, has not yet been set. The classic against Vasco, scheduled for Saturday (12), at 6:30 pm, will be led by Cláudio Caçapa, a permanent member of the black and white coaching staff.
Context of the hiring
Davide Ancelotti is the seventh name to lead the team since John Textor took over Botafogo’s SAF in 2022. His arrival comes shortly after the dismissal of Renato Paiva, who was dismissed after participating in the Club World Cup.
The club is currently in eighth place in the Brazilian Championship, six points behind leaders Flamengo, and is seeking stability in the competition.
International repercussion
The choice of the inexperienced coach generated attention in the sports press outside the country. The Argentine newspaper Olé classified the decision as “bold”, considering that the new coach has no history as a professional team leader. The Spanish newspaper Marca pointed out that the hiring marks the beginning of Davide’s “personal project”, something mentioned by the coach himself months earlier. “My ambition is to train alone one day.
That is very clear to me, because it is my career goal”, said the Italian in a previous interview with the Spanish newspaper. In Italy, the newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted that there is a two-year contract ready and suggested that the officialization should not take long.
The same newspaper reported that Davide will leave the Brazilian National Team to dedicate himself exclusively to working at Botafogo. On the other hand, Marca reported an understanding between the club, coach and CBF that will allow the assistant to continue during the 2026 World Cup cycle, reconciling both roles.
Previous experience and training
The coach began his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2012 as a fitness coach. In 2016, he began working as an assistant coach at Bayern Munich. Since then, he has accompanied Carlo Ancelotti at major European football clubs, including Napoli, Everton and Real Madrid. In addition to his experience behind the scenes at high levels, Davide is fluent in multiple languages and has held a UEFA Pro License since 2023. He has a degree in Sports Science and his principle is a direct and adaptable style of play. “I prefer a more vertical, more daring style. The important thing is that my players know how to do everything and manage it in the best possible way,” he told the Spanish press.
Relationship with the Brazilian National Team
In early May, when Carlo Ancelotti was announced by the CBF, Davide was not officially included in the committee. At the time, the coach himself explained that his son was looking for opportunities to start a solo career. However, in June, the entity confirmed the integration of the assistant coach into the National Team’s project.
According to the newspaper O Globo, Botafogo agreed that the coach would remain as an assistant until the end of the World Cup cycle. “The black and white team has been in constant contact with the CBF to ensure that its coach can reconcile his commitments with those of Carlo Ancelotti,” the newspaper reported.
