Davide Ancelotti, the son of legendary football manager Carlo Ancelotti, finds himself at the heart of a transatlantic managerial saga that’s captivating fans from Rio de Janeiro to Glasgow. As of September 19, 2025, the 36-year-old Italian coach is under intense scrutiny at Botafogo, the storied Brazilian club where he took his first steps into solo management after departing his assistant role at Real Madrid. Yet, his name is once again surfacing in Scotland, with Rangers reportedly considering him as a leading candidate to replace their embattled manager, Russell Martin.
Ancelotti’s journey to Brazil was itself a story of ambition and timing. Last summer, he was in the running for the Rangers job, even interviewing with the Ibrox hierarchy before the club ultimately opted for Martin. Instead, Ancelotti seized the opportunity to chart his own course at Botafogo, a club with passionate supporters and lofty expectations. Initially, the gamble seemed to pay off. Botafogo lost just once in Ancelotti’s first nine matches, a run that sparked optimism and silenced early doubters.
But football, as ever, is a game of thin margins and shifting fortunes. The honeymoon period faded quickly as Botafogo’s campaign hit a rough patch. The team was knocked out of the Copa do Brasil by Vasca da Gama, a result that stung the fanbase. Disappointing league performances soon followed, with losses to Sao Paolo and Mirassol compounding the sense of unease. Most recently, Botafogo’s inability to protect a three-goal lead in a top-flight clash has further fueled frustration among supporters, who are now demanding change from the club’s leadership.
Despite the mounting pressure, Botafogo’s American owner, John Textor, remains steadfast in his support for Ancelotti. According to a report from Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte, Textor considers his manager’s position “untouchable” and has no intention of making a change, at least for now. The club’s leadership is said to be fully committed to allowing Ancelotti to see out his contract, which runs through the end of 2026. In fact, efforts are already underway to strengthen the squad for the coming season, signaling a long-term vision that includes the young Italian at the helm.
“We still have 17 games left in the Brasileirão, and we have to start reacting today,” Ancelotti remarked on September 18, 2025, as he addressed the media in the wake of recent setbacks. “We have to keep improving, playing well, and in the Brasileirão we have opportunities to finish the season strong. Now we don’t have to think about the title, we have to think about today’s game and react, which will be very important to demonstrate our unity at this moment.”
Ancelotti’s candor about the situation has been striking. He hasn’t shied away from acknowledging the pressure or the fans’ frustrations. “The pressure is normal. My job is about results. We always have to respect the fans’ opinions. We have to win games. I know the work I’m doing, I know the pressure I felt working with my father too at Real Madrid. That’s part of the job. We’re going through a difficult time, we have to improve with results. We have to keep working. I enjoy the work I do. We need time to look for explanations. I will win the fans round with results, not words. Winning games and playing well and making the fans believe in the team again. But yes, I understand the supporters’ frustrations.”
Botafogo’s current league position is a point of contention among fans and pundits alike. As of mid-September, the club sits fifth in the Brazilian top-flight, a respectable standing but one that falls short of the lofty ambitions harbored when Ancelotti was appointed. The early exit from the Copa Libertadores in the last 16 only added to the sense that the project in Rio de Janeiro has hit a crossroads. Yet, the club’s ownership remains convinced that Ancelotti is the right man to turn things around.
Meanwhile, more than 9,000 kilometers away, Rangers are embroiled in a crisis of their own. Russell Martin, who beat out Ancelotti for the Ibrox job last summer, is now on the brink after a disastrous run of form. The Scottish giants have failed to win any of their last five Premiership matches, languishing in tenth place—a far cry from the club’s usual standards and ambitions. The situation reached a boiling point after a humiliating 1:9 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifiers, a result that sent shockwaves through the Rangers faithful.
The pressure on Martin has been relentless. Fans are organizing a protest at Ibrox ahead of the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final clash with Hibernian on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Chairman and 49ers Enterprises chief Andrew Cavenagh has flown into Glasgow to take the reins, signaling the seriousness with which the club’s leadership views the current crisis. While the board continues to publicly back Martin, reports indicate that alternative candidates are being considered behind the scenes, with Ancelotti’s name at the top of the list.
For Ancelotti, the prospect of a move to Rangers is both a professional opportunity and a return to unfinished business. His previous interview with the Scottish club underscores the mutual interest that has persisted between the two parties. However, any potential move remains speculative at this stage, especially with Botafogo’s ownership standing firmly behind their man. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing nature of both clubs’ seasons—Ancelotti still has 17 league games to steer Botafogo back on course, while Rangers’ hierarchy must decide whether to pull the trigger on Martin or give him more time to right the ship.
In the swirling speculation, one thing is clear: Ancelotti’s stock remains high, despite the recent turbulence in Brazil. His willingness to face adversity head-on, combined with his pedigree and experience alongside his father at Real Madrid, makes him an attractive option for any club seeking a new direction. Yet, as he himself has acknowledged, only results will determine his fate—both in Rio and, potentially, in Glasgow.
As the weeks unfold, all eyes will be on Botafogo and Rangers, two clubs at critical junctures. Whether Ancelotti stays the course in Brazil or embarks on a new adventure in Scotland, the next chapter promises plenty of intrigue—and perhaps, redemption for all involved.
