Davide Ancelotti days are numbered as Rangers appointment mooted after Russell Martin
Russell Martin is facing the sack at Rangers after a truly disastrous spell at Ibrox.
Martin was an unpopular choice from the start, and the Union Bears have now announced protests against Patrick Stewart and the manager.
The Rangers hierarchy, including Stewart, Gretar Steinsson and Kevin Thelwell, chose Martin despite talks with Davide Ancelotti, the son of Italian legend Carlo.
Ancelotti was in advanced talks over taking the Rangers job, after years spent as a highly-regarded assistant to his father, but with Martin beating him to it, he joined Brazilian side Botafogo, but has since been linked with a move to Ibrox again.
This article contains exclusive opinion from Forbes’ South American football expert Joseph O’Sullivan.
Davide Ancelotti’s Botafogo situation explained amid Rangers links
Ancelotti has been touted as a shock option to replace Martin already, with the former Southampton manager on the brink of the sack.
The Italian has not had the best start at Botafogo, having been eliminated from all cup competitions, and he could also be dismissed from his job just months after starting.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Forbes’ South American football correspondent Joseph O’Sullivan (@FootballTravelMan) explained the difficulties Ancelotti is facing in Brazil.
“Last night, Botafogo were 3-0 up at home to Mirassol in the Brazilian league, and managed to draw the game 3-3. Ancelotti walked off the pitch after the game, with sections of the home support calling for his dismissal,” O’Sullivan explained.
“In recent weeks, Davide Ancelotti has overseen shock defeats in the Brazilian Cup against Vasco da Gama, and in the Copa Libertadores against LDU Quito from Ecuador. Botafogo were favourites in both of those two-legged ties.
“These cup exits and Botafogo’s league position mean that the current champions of Brazil and South America will not win a trophy this season. If anything, they might even fail to qualify for the Copa Libertadores next season.
| Stat | Russell Martin | Davide Ancelotti |
| Games | 12 | 17 |
| Wins | 3 | 8 |
| Draws | 5 | 4 |
| Losses | 4 | 5 |
| Scored | 15 | 28 |
| Conceded | 19 | 19 |
| Points per game | 1.17 | 1.65 |
“Ancelotti didn’t start this mess, but he hasn’t helped himself given the poor recent form, and his days at the club could be numbered.
If Ancelotti is dismissed by Botafogo, though, it appears likely that he could assist Carlo with the Brazil national team at the World Cup next year, rather than leaving for another managerial job.
“However, given the importance of his father’s new role as manager of the Brazilian national team, if Ancelotti does leave Botafogo, his priority for the next nine months might be helping Brazil win a sixth World Cup, rather than embarking on any new club endeavour,” O’Sullivan added.
Rangers and Davide Ancelotti not a good fit for now
Ancelotti could end up having a top career in coaching in the future, but right now, he is unproven and has no experience at all in the Scottish game.
A move in the summer made more sense, given that he would have had a full pre-season, and Ancelotti could have even brought some talents with him from Real Madrid.
Rangers’ season is all but over already, as they are miles off the pace in the title race, and if he joins mid-season and fails to steady the ship, it would only damage his reputation.
For Rangers, a familiar face in Steven Gerrard, or an authoritative figure such as Sean Dyche, would make more sense than Ancelotti, as they need someone who can make an immediate impact in fixing the mess Martin has made.
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