Davide Ancelotti's first head coaching job has come to an early end, with more shadows than highlights. Botafogo officially announced the dismissal of the thirty-six-year-old coach just five months after his arrival in Rio de Janeiro, ending a project that was supposed to be long-term, but which instead stalled well before his contract expired in December 2026.
On the pitch, the results were not entirely convincing. Botafogo finished the Brazilian championship in sixth place, far from the top and sixteen points behind champions Flamengo, while in the Copa Libertadores, their campaign was halted in the round of 16 against LDU Quito. This was deemed insufficient for a team looking to build on the success of the previous season.
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Yet, according to O Globo, the management hadn't initially completely dismissed the former Real Madrid and Napoli assistant's work. The technical evaluation was considered positive overall, but it was weighed down by one fact that raised alarm within the club: the high number of muscle injuries recorded during the season.
This very aspect is said to have triggered the final rift. Botafogo allegedly identified athletic trainer Luca Guerra, Ancelotti's trusted man, as the main culprit behind the player's physical problems, demanding an immediate change in the coaching staff. When asked to part ways with his assistant, Ancelotti initially opened the door to dialogue, but then chose to defend his own team. This stance marked the point of no return and prompted the club to immediately sever their relationship.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
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