In a quiet restaurant in Rio de Janeiro, two young managers from rival Brazilian clubs sat together before a Ligue 1 match. Filipe Luís, who has just taken charge of Monaco, described his new opponent, Davide Ancelotti, as a “really formidable person” and said it would be a pleasure to face a friend on the field. The meeting came just before their first clash in France, a 1‑1 draw that left Lille only a point behind league leaders Rennes.
Filipe Luís is no stranger to European success. After winning the Premier League with Chelsea, he spent eight years at Atlético Madrid, securing La Liga, the Copa del Rey and two Europa League titles. He then guided Flamengo to a Copa Libertadores triumph in his debut managerial role. “He knows what he’s talking about and how to motivate us,” said Monaco forward Matthis Abline, adding that Ancelotti’s presence adds extra motivation to the squad.
Davide Ancelotti’s path to management has been shaped by his father, Carlo, one of the most decorated coaches in football history. Davide has spent the last fourteen years shadowing his father across clubs in England, Spain, Italy and Brazil, and even with the Brazil national team. His brief spell as Botafogo’s manager and his current role at Lille offer him a chance to step out of that shadow. “I hope to be able to write my story, with my first name, too,” he said before Lille’s Champions League outing earlier this season.
Lille’s decision to appoint Ancelotti marks a significant shift from the club’s previous appointments, which had leaned on experienced Ligue 1 coaches such as Christophe Galtier, Jocelyn Gourvennec, Paulo Fonseca and Bruno Génésio. Génésio left after a season that saw Lille qualify for the Champions League, and president Olivier Létang said it was the right time for a change. Létang, who worked with Carlo at PSG in 2012, had known Davide from that time and used his father as a conduit when approaching the young coach.
The match at Stade Louis II was a cautious affair. Ethan Mbappé gave Paris Saint‑Germain the lead early, but Monaco’s resilience and a late equaliser from Edan Diop meant Lille could not secure a win. Ancelotti’s decision to swap a striker for a defender in the second half reflected his cautious approach, and the game ended in a shared point. Despite the lack of a decisive performance, Ancelotti praised his side’s solidarity and hinted that a clear identity is still in the making.
With Lille sitting second from bottom in a 36‑team league, the draw brought them to 15 points from eight games, the best start since their title‑winning 2020‑21 campaign. The club’s future will depend on how quickly Ancelotti can translate his experience into results and carve out a distinct managerial identity separate from his renowned father. The next few fixtures will be crucial in determining whether the new coach can lift Lille out of the relegation zone and restore confidence in the squad.