Davide Ancelotti grew up immersed in football in a way few ever experience. At age six, accompanying his father Carlo to Parma's training ground, the first player he remembers meeting was Gianluigi Buffon - and the young boy would take shots against the future great goalkeeper. Turning his head, he saw defenders Lilian Thuram and Fabio Cannavaro, still early in their careers, honing the habits that would later make them World Cup winners.

Now 36, Davide has followed his father - a five-time Champions League-winning manager - as assistant boss of Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton and Real Madrid. He sat down with BBC Sport ahead of this summer's World Cup, where he will accompany Carlo as Brazil's assistant coach, having just finished his first head coach role in charge of Botafogo.

"In football, it is difficult to say that one manager inspires you," Davide explained. "You take things from different managers. Pep Guardiola was cutting edge, a pioneer. You cannot forget Jurgen Klopp in the high pressing. If we speak about superiority, you have to mention Roberto de Zerbi in how to find the third man. I am fascinated by the defensive phase of Diego Simeone, and, of course, my father."

He acknowledges his father's influence but insists on forging his own path: "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."