Rangers manager target Davide Ancelotti's hidden link to Scotland revealed as coach has close ties to small Scots town
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
DAVIDE ANCELOTTI could be on his way to Glasgow as Rangers' next permanent manager.
But the Ibrox club won't be the 35-year-old's only tie to Scotland should he land the dugout gig.
Sign up for the Rangers newsletter
Sign up
2
Davide Ancelotti is a leading contender for the Ibrox job
Credit: Getty
2
He and his father Carlo have close ties to Scotland
Credit: Alamy
That's because the highly-thought of coach already has close connections to Scotland through his family.
Davide is the son of legendary football manager Carlo who has lifted the Champions League five times as a gaffer - two of which were won with the young coach as his assistant.
But born in Italy just like his dad, Davide also has relatives from Scotland.
Speaking in 2007, Ancelotti Snr revealed he had Scottish relatives cheering on his AC Milan team during a Champions League clash with Celtic.
His ex-wife Luisa Gibellini - Davide's mum - had family living in Penicuik, near Edinburgh, after her mother married a Scot.
Carlo and Luisa separated after 25 years married in 2008 but Scotland remained close to Davide's heart as it was his maternal grandmother who resided near the Scottish capital.
Discussing his family ties to Scotland ahead of the Champions League clash at Parkhead, Carlo said: "I speak to my relatives here in Scotland quite a lot but I haven't asked them for information on Celtic.
"They are on my wife's side of the family and I'll be happy to have them here at the stadium on Tuesday to support me."
He later revealed the extent of their connections to Scotland in an interview in 2009.
Carlo said: 'I have relatives in Penicuik, near Edinburgh, because my mother-in-law married a Scot."
Roger Hannah and Robert Grieve debate if Davide Ancelotti or Russell Martin should be the next Rangers manager in the Coffee Club
Luisa passed away at the age of 63 in 2021 after a long battle with illness.
Carlo and Luisa were childhood sweethearts and they travelled the world together, with Luisa qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1999.
She used to fly her husband back home after Parma matches when he was in charge of the Serie A club.
Ancelotti has since married Canadian businesswoman Mariann Barrena McClay and they tied the knot in Vancouver in 2014.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
26 minutes ago
- The National
Rangers chief confident Russell Martin will win over supporters
After Kevin Thelwell was officially installed as sporting director on Monday, the 39-year-old former Southampton boss, who had a loan spell as a player at Rangers in 2018, was confirmed in the Ibrox hot seat on Friday morning. However, Martin's arrival has not been met with universal approval by Gers supporters. Stewart revealed Martin was the only person offered the job and believes the Ibrox club have taken a diligent approach to finding a successor to Philippe Clement, who left in February before former captain Barry Ferguson took over until the end of the season. 'Firstly, we're always very sensitive and aware of supporters' sentiment on any issue,' said Stewart. 'And, yeah, I'm aware that supporters have strong views on who the right person for the role is. 'So we'll always factor that in to a degree, but equally, I've been talking a lot about process and making sure we've got people and experts in that are qualified to make decisions. 'So we've really put our trust in our process, making sure we've got right people in to make decisions and with a lot of discipline. 'We're not oblivious to the noise at all, not at all. 'But I think, because we conducted such a thorough process to take us to this point where we've appointed Russell, we're confident the supporters will get behind him, particularly when they see him in action.' Stewart believes the appointment of former MK Dons and Swansea boss Martin, which followed last Friday's takeover by an American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, signalled a 'seismic' change at the Ibrox club. Stewart said: 'It clearly is incredibly significant. 'That's two seismic changes. In fact, three, if you look we've had a change of ownership, followed by our sporting director coming in, followed by a head coach being announced. 'That's an awful lot of activity for one club in one week. 'So I think it does herald a really positive new chapter for the club. 'It is a seismic period for the club and sets a really strong foundation for the future.' After a trophyless season for Rangers, Stewart outlined his expectations for Martin. He said: 'First and foremost about taking the current squad that we've got and making it better, then also adding to the squad over the summer. 'And it's about competing again. 'I think we all accept that last season just passed, we were way off, and that's not where we want to be. 'That's not acceptable as a club. So it's about competing again on all fronts and that is the expectation.'
BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
'A forward to replace Kyogo' & centre-back 'a must'
We asked for your views on what Celtic must do in the transfer window this what some of you said:Declan: I think it's clear signings are needed after watching the past few Glasgow derbies and the Scottish Cup final. With that said I think our priority has to be keeping Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, especially if we are to do similar or to even better our performances in Europe last Actually quite a few, 2025 has been sluggish. If Greg Taylor leaves then another left-back. Another centre-back as the manager clearly doesn't rate Maik Nawrocki, while Liam Scales and Auston Trusty don't convince either. Probably two wingers, Jota is out long term and another was needed anyway. Another midfielder, the cup final showed Reo Hatate's creativity when missing is a big loss, and another striker as Kyogo Furuhashi hasn't been We should get a right-back and new left-back and one new goalkeeper, one new midfield player and two new strikers Midfield never really showed consistency or convinced as a unit last season, not sure any combo really worked. So a true defensive midfielder with drive up the middle is really required, which would free up Callum McGregor to get forward. A forward to replace Kyogo, who should have never been allowed to leave without a replacement in the Celtic need to invest in a striker as Adam Idah isn't good enough. We also need a centre-back and a winger plus a new central midfielder because Paulo Bernardo and Arne Engels aren't good A centre-back is a must, since Carl Starfelt left we've had a few in alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers but none who look capable of really taking us to the next level. I'd like to see us really push the boat out to get a centre-back who is more around CCV's Celtic need a proper striker in the mould of recent stalwarts like Scott McDonald. I'm a big fan of Lawrence Shankland and think they should go for him. Goals, goals and more From back to front, a centre-back with top-level experience. A central midfielder that can take some of the burden off CalMac (it ain't Bernardo) and a forward that can use his head both figuratively and literally.
Scottish Sun
39 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Real Madrid tipped to sign Liverpool cult hero just days after sealing Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer
He has been compared to a Madrid hero FIRM INTEREST Real Madrid tipped to sign Liverpool cult hero just days after sealing Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer LIVERPOOL cult hero Firmino has been linked with a sensational move to Real Madrid, reports claim. Real are looking for an experienced goalscorer to support Kylian Mbappe up top, after finishing second behind LaLiga champions Barcelona this season. 4 Roberto Firmino is being linked with an unlikely move to Real Madrid Credit: Getty 4 Firmino could be reunited with former Liverpool team-mate Alexander-Arnold Credit: Getty It comes just days after Madrid swooped Liverpool boyhood star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who ended his 20-year career at Anfield for sunny Spain. And according to Spanish outlet AS Sport, Madrid are in the hunt for a new Joselu-like figure to come to the Bernabeu. The former Stoke and Newcastle forward may have flopped in the Premier League, but he's fondly remembered in the Spanish capital. Joselu scored crucial goals en route to Real's 2024 Champions League victory, most notably his two late notches in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS NOW WE'RE BOTH POSH! David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses Joselu, who came through the ranks at Real as a youngster, scored 18 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions as he played a vital support role after rejoining for a year aged 33. And having been without such a prolific role player this year after Joselu joined Saudi side Al-Gharafa SC, Firmino has reportedly dropped onto Madrid's radar. The Brazilian, 33, who once featured in one of most lethal Premier League front-threes with Mo Salah and Sado Maino, now plays in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli. Firmino was linked with a shock move to Madrid before the end of Liverpool contract in 2023. 4 Josulu became a cult hero in Madrid Credit: Alamy CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS After initially struggling to find his feet, Firmino has managed 21 goals in 65 appearances, and he captained Al-Ahli to the AFC Champions League Elite title this season. Firmino is also seen as someone who could play a vital bench role for new manager Xabi Alonso, who also starred for both Liverpool and Madrid. Trent Alexander-Arnold breaks down in tears and kisses badge as he gets emotional send-off from Liverpool fans A move would allow youngster Gonzalo Garcia, 21, another year to develop after scoring 25 goals for Madrid's academy this season. If does complete the switch, then Firmino would be reunited with former Liverpool team-mate Alexander-Arnold. The pair who won it all at Liverpool during Jurgen Klopp's golden years, including the club's first-ever Premier League trophy and the 2019 Champions League title. While Firmino was given a hero's send-off when he was released in 2023, the England right-back faced heavy criticism from Liverpool fans, who were initially fuming about his free agent status. But Madrid have since paid £10million to release Alexander-Arnold a month early from this contract that was due to end on June 30. The Spanish giants were hell-bent on having the 26-year-old for the Club World Cup, starting on June 14 in the US. Firmino would also have fellow Brazilians Vinicius Jr and Eder Militao as team-mates.
