Ancelotti Takes Charge At Lille As Club Eyes Champions League Return

In a move that bridges football generations, Lille OSC have turned to Davide Ancelotti—son of legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti—to lead the team into a new chapter.

The 36-year-old was officially appointed as head coach on June 1, 2026, signing a two-year contract with the Ligue 1 side.

The announcement came Monday, exactly one week after Bruno Genesio’s departure from the club. While Lille confirmed the deal, they remained tight-lipped about whether Davide would immediately step away from his current role as assistant coach to his father with the Brazilian national team.

The World Cup in South America is set to kick off on June 11 and run through July 19, leaving open the possibility that Ancelotti may juggle both duties or join Lille full-time after the tournament.

This marks the Italian’s second stint as a head coach. He previously spent six months at Brazilian club Botafogo last year, gaining valuable experience in a demanding environment. Now, he returns to Europe with a point to prove.

“I’m extremely proud and happy,” Davide Ancelotti said in his first comments since the appointment. “It’s an honor to represent a club like Lille—serious, ambitious, and competitive, with a regular presence in European competitions.” A product of AC Milan’s youth academy, Ancelotti knows the weight of elite football well.

Lille earned their place in next season’s Champions League by finishing third in Ligue 1, 15 points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The new French top-flight campaign is scheduled to begin on the weekend of August 22–23, giving Ancelotti just over two months to shape his squad and prepare for a demanding season ahead.