Ancelotti Jr's second attempt to step out of his father's shadow

Although no one - least of all his father Carlo - saw it coming, Davide Ancelotti decided to end his short playing spell aged 20 and start pursuing a managerial career.

Under his dad's wing.

Ever since Davide entered the coaching world in 2012, he has been a member of Carletto's staff - as a fitness coach at Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, and an assistant manager at Napoli, Everton, again Los Blancos, and the Brazil national team.

A year ago, he finally decided to try to make a name for himself as a head coach, taking charge of Brazilian side Botafogo, but things didn't go according to plan, as the 36-year-old spent only five months at Estadio Olímpico Nilton Santos, leading the team in just 33 games, posting a record of 15 wins, 10 draws, and 8 defeats.

Following that setback, he rejoined Carlo's staff with the Selecao, but, as it turned out, only briefly, for four months, to be precise.

Starting next July, Davide Ancelotti will be the new head coach of Lille.

Carletto's World Cup gamble or just craziness - Neymar in, Joao Pedro out?!

In a welcome message on its official website, the Ligue 1 side described him as a "tireless worker and consummate professional", stating that he "embodies this new generation of coaches with a modern tactical approach, readily leveraging science to optimize performance", and that "his natural authority and sporting management skills, particularly in the psychological realm, have made him a respected leader known for his composure and humanity."

Last season, Lille finished third in France and secured their place in the next season's Champions League campaign, led by Bruno Genesio, who departed the club at the end of the 2025/2026 campaign.

The expectations for Davide will be very high. After all, it's time for him to prove he has what it takes to make it as a head coach on his own.

Otherwise, he may never escape his father's shadow.