Rangers Future in Focus as Davide Ancelotti Emerges as Managerial Candidate

Yahoo

28-05-2025

Davide Ancelotti Linked with Rangers as Brazil Plans Take Shape
Brazil Exclusion Hints at Davide Ancelotti's Next Move
Carlo Ancelotti's unveiling as Brazil's new head coach has reignited speculation surrounding his son Davide's managerial future – and the timing may prove significant for Rangers Football Club.
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AS reports that the ex-AC Milan and Real Madrid boss 'listed his group of assistants to lead the Brazilian national side but Davide, who was his assistant at Madrid, was not on it.' It's a development that has caught the attention of decision-makers at Ibrox, particularly as the hunt for a long-term successor to Philippe Clement continues.
Carlo didn't leave much room for ambiguity either. 'He's currently negotiating with a European team,' the elder Ancelotti said. 'So, I didn't think it was right for him to come here. If he stays with the team, I wish him the best. If not, he can come back to us at any time.'
Ibrox Future Still Undecided
While Davide's next destination remains unclear, his omission from Brazil's coaching set-up appears deliberate. TEAMtalk has previously reported that Davide Ancelotti is 'in a strong position to become the next Rangers manager,' though former boss Steven Gerrard is also thought to be in contention.
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The managerial post remains unfilled since Philippe Clement was sacked in February, and although club legend Barry Ferguson took temporary charge and voiced his desire to stay on, the hierarchy has opted for a different direction.
Photo: IMAGO
With Rangers now operating under the shadow of a pending takeover, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group – the latter being the ownership force behind Leeds United – change is in the air. Their ambition to acquire 51% of Rangers underlines their intention to overhaul operations both on and off the pitch.
Davide's Managerial Readiness
Davide Ancelotti, 35, has long been tipped as a future head coach in his own right. His development under the watchful eye of his father at elite clubs such as Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid has armed him with experience far beyond his years.
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There's more to this potential move than surname alone. Davide's tactical influence and growing reputation on the training ground have seen him emerge from his father's shadow in recent years.
Should he arrive at Ibrox, it would mark a bold and progressive appointment – one aligned with modern coaching dynamics and the club's ambitions to close the gap on Celtic after finishing a distant second in the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season.
Gerrard's Return Still Possible
Yet Steven Gerrard's name won't fade from this conversation easily. The former Liverpool captain led Rangers to their historic 2021 title win, halting Celtic's domestic dominance. His return would represent familiarity and emotional resonance – two powerful forces at any club, particularly one as tradition-bound as Rangers.
Photo IMAGO
But it's Davide who now appears to hold the cards, with AS suggesting his next step is imminent. Whether Ibrox is the chosen destination remains to be seen, but the omission from Brazil's coaching team makes one thing clear: Davide Ancelotti is ready to stand alone.
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For Rangers fans, the idea of Davide Ancelotti taking the reins is equal parts intriguing and bold. There's no question his surname carries weight, but this isn't about nepotism – it's about potential. A young, tactically astute coach steeped in elite-level football, Davide could inject a fresh mentality into a squad that's underachieved this season.
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His exclusion from Brazil's coaching team, as AS reported, only adds fuel to the fire. 'He's currently negotiating with a European team,' his father confirmed. If that team is Rangers, it would be a statement of intent – not just to compete with Celtic, but to surpass them.
Some fans may still long for Gerrard's return – memories of 55 titles and unbeaten campaigns don't fade quickly. But in modern football, sentiment must take a back seat to progress. Davide could represent the kind of forward-thinking leadership Rangers need to return to European prominence.
With the 49ers group involved, the feeling around Ibrox is that something significant is brewing. And maybe, just maybe, the next chapter will be led by Ancelotti – junior.