Olivier Létang explains Davide Ancelotti’s appointment as Lille head coach | OneFootball

Lille have appointed Davide Ancelotti head coach on a two-year deal. President Olivier Létang said he had only one candidate in mind, and the 36-year-old will remain Brazil’s lead assistant at the World Cup before taking charge.

According to L'Équipe, Létang fronted Monday’s presentation alone. Ancelotti was absent after working late as the Seleção beat Panama 6-2 at the Maracanã.

Létang said he initiated the end of Bruno Genesio’s tenure at the close of his contract, judging it the right moment to conclude two outstanding years without calling it a cycle’s end.

He contacted Ancelotti shortly before the league finished and spoke to no one else, seeking a fresh, creative phase. He called him young, dynamic and club minded, keen to trust and develop youngsters. Ancelotti has spent 10 years assisting at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, Real Madrid and with Brazil.

His only stint as a No 1 was five months at Botafogo, returning 15 wins, 10 draws and 8 defeats before John Textor dismissed him in December.

Létang’s long relationship with Carlo Ancelotti, built at PSG, eased talks. He consulted Carlo, who urged Davide to accept, though Lille hired him for Davide, not his surname. On experience, Létang cited the neighbour’s fine season under Pierre Sage, promoted from development and assistant roles.

Ancelotti speaks strong French, plus Italian, English, German and Spanish. He will start once Brazil finish, by 20 July at the latest, and Létang accepts beginning pre-season without him. Assistants Luis Tevenet, 52, and Andy Mangan, 39, are set to lead from 1 July, with a set-piece specialist close to joining.

Source: L'Équipe