Lille have appointed Davide Ancelotti as their new head coach, the French club announced on Monday, giving the 36-year-old Italian his first opportunity to manage at the top level of European football.

The son of legendary coach and current Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti has signed a two-year contract running until summer 2028, succeeding Bruno Genesio, who departed the club a week ago after two seasons at the helm.

Davide brings an impressive pedigree to the role, having spent more than a decade working as assistant coach at some of Europe’s most storied clubs. He served alongside his father at Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Everton, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, accumulating a wealth of experience in elite football environments before stepping into head coaching.

His first solo managerial role came at Brazilian club Botafogo in July 2025, though the appointment lasted only six months. He won 12 of his 27 league games in charge, guiding the defending Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champions to a sixth-place finish before being sacked. His father subsequently brought him back into the Brazil setup as part of his coaching staff ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Lily’s announcement did not clarify whether Davide would remain part of Brazil’s coaching staff for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19, before taking over at the French club. Speaking on his appointment, the new coach expressed genuine excitement at the challenge ahead. “I am very proud and happy. It’s an honour to represent Lille. They are a serious, ambitious, competitive club who are regularly playing European football,” he said. Club president Olivier Letang also welcomed his arrival, with the club stating it was “delighted with the arrival of Davide Ancelotti at the dawn of a new 2026-2027 season that will combine Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League.”

Davide will inherit a Lille side that finished third in Ligue 1 this season and will compete in the Champions League next term making this not only his first head coaching role in Europe but his first taste of managing in the continent’s premier club competition. The appointment signals a bold choice by Lille’s hierarchy, who are clearly prepared to back a young, ambitious coach with the right bloodline and an accumulation of elite-level experience, even as he continues to build his individual managerial reputation away from his father’s considerable shadow.