| Full name | Davide Ancelotti |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 July 1989, Parma, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Profession | Football coach |
| Current role | Head coach, Lille (LOSC), contract until June 2028 |
| Coaching licence | UEFA Pro License |
| Parents | Carlo Ancelotti and Luisa Gibellini |
| Sister | Katia Ancelotti |
Davide Ancelotti is an Italian football coach born on 22 July 1989 in Parma. He is the son of one of football’s most well-known managers, Carlo Ancelotti, and spent years working alongside his father at some of Europe’s biggest clubs before stepping out as a head coach in his own right. In June 2026, he was appointed head coach of French club Lille, signing a two-year contract running until June 2028.
From Parma to the Touchline
Davide grew up in a footballing household and started his own career as a midfielder. His playing days did not produce a notable professional record, and he moved into coaching relatively early, choosing that path over pursuing a long career as a player.
He holds a UEFA Pro License and has built his coaching profile primarily through hands-on experience at elite club and international level. His preferred tactical setup is the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Building His Coaching Career Alongside Carlo Ancelotti
The most formative part of Davide’s early coaching career came as an assistant to his father. As Carlo moved between clubs, Davide followed as part of the technical staff. That journey took him through Bayern Munich in Germany, Napoli in Serie A, Everton in the Premier League, and Real Madrid in La Liga — four clubs that between them have won a combined haul of major European and domestic titles.
Working at that level from a young age gave Davide exposure to different football cultures, squad management styles, and tactical approaches that many coaches take decades to encounter. He was not a passenger on those staffs; he is consistently described as an assistant coach rather than a figurehead role attached to his father’s name.
When Carlo Ancelotti took charge of the Brazil national team, Davide once again joined the setup as an assistant. That move extended his experience into international football and kept him involved in preparation for a FIFA World Cup cycle.
Stepping Out on His Own — Botafogo and the Move to Lille
Davide’s first head-coaching role came at Botafogo in Brazil. Brazilian sports media refer to him as the former Botafogo head coach, and his appointment there marked the point where his career began to separate from simply following his father’s path.
On 1 June 2026, Lille announced Davide Ancelotti as their new head coach. The French club had just finished third in Ligue 1 under Bruno Génésio, earning Champions League qualification, and were looking for a successor to continue that momentum. Lille signed Davide on a two-year deal running until June 2028.
The appointment was notable for a couple of reasons. It was described as his first senior head-coaching role in European football, and Lille framed him as the club’s first Italian head coach. Reports at the time of the announcement noted that, due to his ongoing assistant commitments with Brazil during the World Cup, he would initially work with the club remotely before arriving on-site after the tournament concluded.
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The Ancelotti Family
Davide’s father, Carlo Ancelotti, is one of the most decorated managers in football history, having won league titles and Champions League trophies across multiple countries. Carlo’s career directly shaped the environments Davide learned in, and the two have spent a significant part of their professional lives working side by side.
His mother is Luisa Gibellini, also known as Luisa Ancelotti. His older sister is Katia Ancelotti.
Davide’s story is, in one sense, straightforward: a coach who grew up close to the game, chose coaching over playing, learned at the very top of the sport, and then earned his own opportunities as a head coach. The famous surname opened doors, but staying at clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in a professional capacity — and then landing an independent role at a Ligue 1 club preparing for Champions League football — reflects a career built on more than just the family name.
