Davide Ancelotti Is A Perfect Match For Pisa – But There’s One Big Catch
The son of Carlo Ancelotti was recently sacked by Botafogo after just six months.
Pisa are weighing up appointing Davide Ancelotti, with Alberto Gilardino on the brink of the sack.
Davide Ancelotti On Pisa Shortlist
Gilardino was spared from the axe after a last-gasp equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw with Cagliari last time out, but he is set to become the next Serie A manager to be sacked.
Another defeat is likely to spell the end of the former Italy international’s six-month spell in charge, and a shortlist of potential replacements has already been drawn up.
His sacking could come as soon as this weekend, when the newly-promoted minnows travel to Juventus.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the hierarchy have been working on a succession plan and reached an agreement on a risky appointment, having examined other coaches currently out of work.
Ancelotti, the son of Carlo, is their first-choice target, despite him only managing one previous club.
His lack of experience has not dented his lofty reputation, and the prospect of appointing such a well-known name is an exciting prospect.
Ancelotti Jr was appointed as the head coach of Brazilian side Botafogo in July, but departed last week.
After presiding over 33 games at the reigning champions, he won 15 of them and lost just eight. This record, though, was only enough to steer them into sixth place in the Brazilian Serie A.
Davide Ancelotti’s Coaching Experience
The 36-year-old previously acted as his father’s assistant coach at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton and Real Madrid. He also took up a fitness coach role under Ancelotti Snr’s tutelage at Paris Saint-Germain and in Madrid.
The former AC Milan youth graduate later followed his father as his No 2 when he was appointed by Brazil, but stepped away after just a month to take up the hot seat at Botafogo.
Pisa Must Be Wary of Appointing Davide Ancelotti
On paper, Ancelotti looks like an ideal candidate to breathe new life into Pisa’s failing relegation dogfight.
He would bring fresh ideas to the table, a welcome contrast to the stale football currently on offer.
Ancelotti is also known to connect well with players, no matter their reputation, and this is an approach which promises to unite the dressing room.
Should he take charge, he would be given one simple goal: keep the club in the top-flight.
However, Ancelotti may also bring unwanted baggage with him. Reports claimed he had fallen out with his Botafogo bosses over a decision to dismiss fitness coach Luca Guerra.
He was told that Guerra would be let go, but insisted that it was not acceptable. Ancelotti reportedly viewed his trusted lieutenant as ‘indispensable’.
It was alleged that the fitness coach had been criticised internally over a failure to balance his training sessions.
Should Pisa proceed with appointing Ancelotti, they would need to bear this spat in mind. The manager holds a tight-knit circle, and his approach is simple: it’s his way or the highway.
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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