A New Chapter Begins for Davide in Rio de Janeiro

Botafogo, current champions of Brazilian and South American football, officially presented Davide Ancelotti as their new head coach on Monday. At 35 years old, the son of Carlo Ancelotti, now Brazil’s national team coach, steps into his first head coaching role after years working as an assistant at clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton.

“I’m very proud to be Carlo’s son, but now my own story begins. I know I have to deliver results and work hard. That’s what I’m here to do,” said Davide Ancelotti confidently in fluent Portuguese.

He has signed a contract with the Rio de Janeiro side through December 2026. The agreement allows him to remain partially involved with the Brazilian national team, where he recently began serving as an assistant.

Fully Committed to Botafogo's Project

Despite his dual role, Ancelotti was clear that his full focus is on Botafogo. “I’m 100% committed to this project. I’m not thinking about anything else. This is the best place to begin my head coaching career,” he emphasized.

He also addressed concerns about his youth, underlining that his extensive background at the top level has prepared him for this moment. “Being young has its benefits. I will make mistakes—everyone does—but those mistakes will help me grow, and I plan to grow with Botafogo,” he stated.

Ancelotti had an unofficial debut last Saturday, guiding the team to a win over Vasco da Gama in matchday 13 of the Brazilian league, though he was listed as an assistant due to delays in his official registration.

With four wins in their last five matches, Botafogo currently sits sixth in the league standings with 21 points. The club is also preparing to host LDU Quito in the Copa Libertadores round of 16, a key challenge as Ancelotti begins writing his own chapter in the world of football management.