Martín Anselmi, current head coach of Cruz Azul, could be living his final days at the helm of the cementero team. According to reports from international outlets such as ESPN and FOX Sports, the Argentine strategist is reportedly close to sealing his move to Porto in Portugal, which would mark a significant step forward in his professional career. This move, which would include his entire coaching staff, is said to follow an offer made by the Portuguese club, seeking a fresh direction for their bench.

If the deal goes through, Anselmi would coach his final game with La Máquina next Saturday, January 25, when they face Club Puebla in Matchday 3 of the Clausura 2025. Notably, this would mark the end of a cycle highlighted by moments of high performance, such as achieving a record points tally in the Apertura 2024, though without the championship titles the management had hoped for.

The coach's release clause, set at around $5 million, is reportedly being negotiated directly between the clubs, according to information from David Espinosa of FOX Sports and ESPN sources in Portugal. This detail underscores the Portuguese team's interest in securing the Argentine strategist, who is said to already have a pre-agreement signed with the Dragons for the next two and a half seasons.

However, Anselmi's potential departure has caused frustration within Cruz Azul’s management, who claim they were not informed in advance about the coach's negotiations. According to reports from Omar Flores, an ESPN contributor, the coach had even requested reinforcements for the Clausura 2025, such as Omar Campos and Luka Romero, both of whom had already been secured by the club. Now, the project would be left unfinished, putting La Máquina in a difficult position.

Meanwhile, Porto, a club with a rich history in European football, is looking to leverage Anselmi's expertise to remain competitive in the Portuguese league and the UEFA Europa League. Currently, the Dragons sit in third place in the domestic league, behind Sporting and Benfica, and they hope the Argentine coach will be the key to reclaiming the top spot.