The first solo managerial venture for Davide Ancelotti, the son of legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti, has come to a sudden and tumultuous end. The 36-year-old has departed Brazilian club Botafogo after a brief eight-month tenure, with the club's official statement offering little clarity on the reasons behind the exit.
A Sudden and Mysterious Departure
Botafogo confirmed the news via a terse social media announcement, stating simply: 'Davide Ancelotti leaves his position as Botafogo coach. Botafogo informs that Davide Ancelotti is no longer the coach of the first team.' The statement, issued after board meetings on Wednesday, thanked Ancelotti for his "professionalism and commitment" but did not specify if the decision was mutual.
Davide Ancelotti's entire backroom staff, including fitness coach Luca Guerra and assistants Luis Tevenet and Andrew Mangan, were also dismissed. Reports from outlets like The Sun suggest that the board's decision to sack Guerra, whom Davide considered 'indispensable', was a significant point of contention that angered the young manager.
A Promising Start Cut Short
Ancelotti, who had previously worked as a long-time assistant to his father at elite clubs like Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid, took the Botafogo job to forge his own path. His statistical record was respectable: 15 wins, 10 draws, and only 8 defeats from his time in charge.
However, the team's failure to finish in the top five of the Brazilian Serie A and secure automatic qualification for the CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage was deemed a disappointment. Furthermore, it is believed his training methods and approach to managing the fixture schedule caused friction within the club, which is majority-owned by American businessman John Textor's Eagle Football Holdings.
What Comes Next for the Ancelottis?
Prior to his Botafogo appointment, Davide Ancelotti was regarded as one of Europe's most interesting young coaches and was even linked with the vacancy at Rangers. His immediate future is now uncertain, though he will remain connected to Brazilian football through his role on his father's coaching staff with the Brazilian national team.
Carlo Ancelotti, who took over as Brazil manager last summer, is already in talks to extend his initial one-year contract, which runs until the 2026 World Cup. Under the Italian's guidance, Brazil has won four, drawn two, and lost two matches.
For Botafogo, the search for a new technical team begins immediately, closing a brief and chaotic chapter in their history with a member of football's most famous coaching dynasty.
