Botafogo Appoints Davide Ancelotti as Head Coach

Botafogo has appointed Davide Ancelotti as their new head coach, marking his first role as a principal manager. The 35-year-old Italian, son of Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti, leaves his position as assistant coach of the Brazilian national team to take over at Botafogo following the sacking of Renato Paiva after the club's elimination from the Club World Cup last 16. Davide brings extensive experience from his assistant coaching roles alongside his father at top European clubs, including Napoli, Everton, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. Botafogo, owned by US tycoon John Textor, finished eighth in the Brazilian Serie A and recently achieved a historic double by winning the Copa Libertadores and Brasileirao in 2024. Davide faces the challenge of revitalizing the team both in the domestic league and the ongoing Copa Libertadores, where Botafogo will face Liga de Quito in the round of 16. His appointment continues a trend of frequent coaching changes at Botafogo during the SAF era, with him becoming the seventh coach since 2021.