Davide Ancelotti, Son of Brazil Coach Carlo, Takes Over at Lille Ahead of Champions League Return

Ligue 1 side Lille have appointed Davide Ancelotti as their new head coach on a two-year contract, the club announced on Monday. The 36-year-old Italian, son of Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti, takes on his second managerial role after a brief five-month stint at Brazilian club Botafogo last year. He replaces Bruno Génésio, whose contract was not renewed after guiding Lille to a third-place finish in the French league and securing qualification for next season's Champions League.

A coaching lineage

Ancelotti began his coaching career in 2016 and has built his experience largely alongside his father, serving as an assistant at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid. He also worked as a fitness coach at Paris Saint-Germain during his father's tenure there from 2011 to 2013. Most recently, he has been part of his father's staff with the Brazilian national team, a role he is expected to continue through this summer's World Cup before fully taking charge at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

I'm very proud and happy. It's an honour to represent Lille. They are a serious, ambitious, competitive club who are regularly playing European football.

The selection process

Lille president Olivier Létang chose Ancelotti from a shortlist that also included Stefano Pioli and Thiago Motta. Létang praised the new coach's modern approach and professionalism, stating that the club was impressed by his energy, determination, and maturity.

Davide is a great professional, who has all the qualities and competencies of a modern coach. I have known him for many years and I have assiduously followed his evolution at the highest level, in the wake of the great technician Carlo Ancelotti.

A brief Brazilian chapter

Ancelotti's first head coaching experience came at Botafogo, where he was in charge from July to December 2025. His tenure lasted only five months, during which he recorded 15 wins, 10 draws, and 8 defeats. Botafogo finished sixth in Brazil's top flight and were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores in the round of 16 by Ecuador's LDU Quito, leading to his dismissal by club owner John Textor.

Champions League return

Lille are returning to Europe's premier competition after a strong domestic campaign. Under Génésio, the club finished fifth in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season before improving to third in 2025-26. In the 2024-25 Champions League, Lille impressed by placing seventh in the 36-team league phase, eventually losing to Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16. This season they competed in the Europa League, where they were eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual champions Aston Villa.

The Champions League is special for me, for my experience and my family. I am very proud.

A polyglot's return to France

The appointment marks a return to French football for Ancelotti, who speaks Italian, French, English, German, and Spanish. His previous experience in Ligue 1 came over a decade ago as a fitness coach at PSG, where he notably identified the profile of a young Kingsley Coman for his father. He will now be tasked with matching or improving upon Génésio's performance, with Portuguese players Tiago Santos and Félix Correia among the squad he inherits.