His first solo experience has come this season, but Davide Ancelotti (Parma, 1989) has been accompanying his father, Carlo, for over a decade on the benches throughout Europe: Paris, Madrid, Munich, Naples, and Liverpool (Everton). Behind him, three Champions Leagues and many lessons of football and life that he now tries to put into practice at Botafogo, which he took over in ninth position and now has in sixth, close to playing the Libertadores and revaluing young players. In Brazil, he talks with EL MUNDO about his new country, Real Madrid, and the upcoming World Cup, where he will once again be by his father's side.
You have been in charge of Botafogo for five months, how is it going?
Botafogo is going through a season of ups and downs because it has completely revamped the squad. They have sold their best players and left part of the money raised for the January transfer market. Last year they played over 70 games, including the Club World Cup, started the season with few players, and changed coaches. I am the third coach this season, I arrived in the midst of it all, and in August, several players also left. There are few players left from the team that won the Libertadores. So, it has been a bit challenging, but the team is now in a better place and closer to the goal, which is to qualify directly for the Libertadores. It has been tough, but when I came here, I was looking for that, managing difficulties. I am enjoying the experience.
After spending so much time sharing the bench with your father and friends, how has it been on a personal level?
With a lot of excitement. There are things you don't see coming, of course, but that's why I accepted the challenge. I knew there would be difficulties and that it was a different type of football from European football, but I knew it would be beneficial for my future. Coaching the South American champion was a great opportunity. As a first-time coach, I needed some time to adapt, and there are things that have surprised me, things you have to experience to learn, like adapting to conditions such as the weather or the pitch... It's a school, a master's degree.
Is there still a football connection with your father or with Francesco Mauri and Mino Fulco, your former teammates in Madrid who are now in the Brazilian national team?
It's hard to separate friendship and football. We stay in touch because I'm still interested in what's happening with them and I try to help, and they do the same. Now, I have knowledge of the Brazilian league that allows me to advise them.
What is your football philosophy?
I like vertical football, and I believe I have now built a team that plays quite vertically, trying to advance with the ball. Of course, I will likely have different squads in the future, and you have to adapt, but with this squad, I can play an effective transitional style of football.
Do you think Brazilian football has lost talent?
I don't think so. The talent is still there. If you look at the wingers Brazil has, it's hard for other countries to match. Players who make a mark like Ronaldo or Ronaldinho don't come around every day, but the talent of Estevao, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vinicius, Cunha... The issue is that winning a World Cup is difficult solely with offensive talent. If you look at the recent tournaments, the matches are balanced, where defense and set pieces are crucial. It's true that in Brazilian football, I expected a more technical style, but it's very physical. It's highly influenced by coaches. This has surprised me; I thought it was more of a possession-based style of football.
Your father always mentioned that he liked giving players freedom in attack. Do you think modern football is overly controlled?
Football is leaning more towards physical duels, where a player's physicality is crucial. Most teams play with three center-backs, and I'm not sure if it's due to a lack of offensive talent, but there tends to be one more defender and one less forward. Attention to detail is important. Today, it's challenging for players without defensive intensity to be sustained by the team; talented players can't forget to defend. If you don't defend as a team, every opponent will exploit you. There's a lot of organization and fewer chaotic moments, which are the most exciting. I personally prefer transitions, verticality... Real Madrid still has this, for example. Chaos. In chaos, Real Madrid is the best in the world.
Do you still observe Real Madrid with the eyes of a coach or as a fan?
Now I follow them more as a fan. The squad has changed significantly, and it's not the same team as last year, but I still watch them with affection.
What was the most challenging aspect of your years at the Bernabeu, the football side or managing the dressing room?
In management, the coach has the most responsibility, and I believe my father did very well in those years. In my case, it was more about the tactical work we had to do each year, finding solutions because circumstances change, and each year is a new story.
To what extent have you been able to influence Carlo during these years?
I have always tried to be challenging, which I believe is what he needs. I think I have been able to influence him, but ultimately, he makes the decisions. We haven't always agreed on what should be done. It's essential to discuss everything until the coach has the final say. Being my father, I understand him better than others. He is a very calm person, although sometimes calmness has been misinterpreted as a lack of demand. I am experiencing the same. When you win, a calm environment is fantastic, but when you lose, it's seen as a weakness. My father is very demanding of his players, and that has been misinterpreted.
As if one couldn't be a good manager and a good coach.
Yes, and a good manager, a calm manager, is not a manager who lacks demands. You can be a calm person who is rarely upset, but sometimes you have to be clear. Sometimes with calm individuals, the environment relaxes, and you have to intervene. A coach and a manager are two different things, and the coach must be respected. A top-level coach, not to mention one who has won five Champions Leagues, has knowledge. It's absurd to question that.
Does the Real Madrid dressing room function better with freedom or control?
I think over the years, it has been a mix of both. The dressing room has changed now, with leaders like Lucas and Modric leaving, new dynamics are likely forming within the group. I see Real Madrid leading the league and among the top eight in the Champions League in November. The expectations are always high, but they are where they should be. They have a coach more than capable of managing Real Madrid, and it's normal that he needs time. But there is little patience. My father hasn't always been calm and kind; he has also been interventionist and tough on them in many talks. He hasn't always granted freedom. Sometimes, with players of this caliber, shock and scolding work, if genuine. Sometimes it's needed. Xabi has been a player and has played for Real Madrid; he will know how to handle that group.
Your father recently mentioned that he had spoken to Vini and told him he was wrong to get upset when substituted.
He has always had a very close relationship with Vini because his arrival coincided with the player's breakthrough. They have given a lot to each other, and Vini has been able to express himself with my father, and it's normal that my father told him what he thinks. Vini is very competitive, very fiery when he plays, but he calms down and has the ability to recognize when he's wrong.
Will you be part of the Brazil coaching staff at the World Cup? Do you see the national team as contenders?
I have the possibility to return. When I signed with them, I agreed to focus on Botafogo's goals until the end of the season and then accompany the national team at the World Cup. The team has everything to compete with any other national team. The World Cup is won with defense, set pieces, and transitions. And Brazil has all of that.
Do you feel the pressure?
For now, my father is calm; I think we will start feeling it when the season ends. The fans are very demanding, and the atmospheres are impressive. Here, the national team is highly cherished; people feel a strong connection with the jersey. The World Cup is going to be incredible.