Argentine coach Martín Anselmi, 39, was officially presented on Monday as the new manager of Porto, currently third in the Portuguese league. 

Porto announced that Anselmi has signed a contract until 2027, committing to lead the team for the next two and a half seasons. During his unveiling, the Argentine manager expressed his immediate goal to build a "competitive" team capable of meeting challenges, including Thursday's Europa League clash against Maccabi Tel Aviv, which he described as "crucial."

Anselmi's Side of the Cruz Azul Controversy

During the press conference, Anselmi addressed his departure from Cruz Azul, accusing the club of "changing the rules of the game" when everything was ready for his formalization with Porto. "They negotiated, reached an agreement, and accepted an offer from Porto, but when everything was finalized, they changed the rules and defamed me," he stated.

The Argentine also revealed that he requested a press conference to bid farewell to the fans in Mexico, but the club denied his request. He emphasized that the situation became untenable for him and his family, who had to leave Mexico unexpectedly.

The Challenge at Porto

Anselmi arrives at Porto in a challenging situation as the season is already underway and the team trails league leaders Sporting by six points. He replaces Vítor Bruno, who was dismissed after two consecutive losses, and steps into the role with a new coaching staff, including Luis Pastur and Facundo Oreja as assistants, and Diego Bottaioli as fitness coach.

Although aware of the challenges, Anselmi expressed confidence in his approach, pledging to instill his philosophy from the outset: "To be better than yesterday, that is our culture."

A Proven Track Record with International Success

Before his stint with Cruz Azul, Anselmi managed Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, where he won four titles, including the Copa Sudamericana and the Recopa Sudamericana. Now, he embarks on a European adventure with Porto, determined to add more silverware to the club’s storied history.

While the legal dispute with Cruz Azul remains unresolved, Anselmi is focused on his professional growth and on seizing this historic opportunity: "Blue forever," he concluded during his official presentation.