Davide Ancelotti: My game in my words

Breaking news from the world of sport: Davide Ancelotti: My game in my words Image caption, Davide Ancelotti is Brazil's assistant manager for the World Cup, with his father, Carlo Ancelotti, the manager By Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent Published 15 minutes ago Davide Ancelotti grew up immersed in football in a way few ever have. Aged six, accompanying his father and then-Parma manager Carlo to the training ground, the first player he remembers meeting was Gianluigi Buffon. The young boy would take shots against the Italian goalkeeper, who would go on to become one of the greatest in the game.

Turning his head, Davide would see defenders Lilian Thuram and Fabio Cannavaro, still early in their own journeys, honing the habits that would later make them World Cup winners with France and Italy. Image source, Corriere della Sera Image caption, A young Davide Ancelotti with his father, Carlo Ancelotti This immersion came before the coaching badges, before he would accompany his father - a five-time Champions League-winning manager - as assistant boss of Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton and Real Madrid. I sat down with Davide, a tactics board on the table between us, looking to unpick the mind of a hardworking and curious coach following his first head coach role in charge of Botafogo and prior to this summer's World Cup - where he will accompany Carlo as assistant coach of the Brazilian national team.

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Image caption, Davide and I discuss his philosophy, the tactics used by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and PSG's Luis Enrique, as well as possible future tactical trends Inspirations and mindset "In football, it is difficult to say that one manager inspires you," began the 36-year-old Davide. "You take things from different managers. "Pep Guardiola was cutting edge, a pioneer.

You cannot forget Jurgen Klopp in the high pressing, in the triggers. If we speak about superiority, you have to mention Roberto de Zerbi in how to find the third man, the small details that he discovered. I am fascinated by the defensive phase of Diego Simeone, by Unai Emery and, of course, my father.

"My father came from the school of Arrigo Sacchi, the zonal defence, the 4-4-2. "And all of these ideas have influenced my own identity as a manager. This process of creating my own identity as a manager is always an ongoing one.

Reactions and Expectations

For some people I am like my father, but in truth, I am not exactly like him. I have a similar character, but I am a different kind of manager. "I don't think a manager has to be one thing or another.

There is always a point in the middle. You adapt to the players, and sometimes to the opponent, but you also need clear ideas on what you like as a manager. "In the end, the team will become what you emphasise and you emphasise the things you like.

" What is the ideal version of your team? "My dream is to have a team that can do different things at the highest level. "If we take the example of the last Champions League winners, Paris St-Germain, they are able to do everything.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.