Porto Fires Manager Anselmi After Poor Club World Cup Show, What’s Next? | Tactical Breakdown
Porto’s Sudden Exit From the Club World Cup
It happened faster than a counter-attack in Rio de Janeiro: Martin Anselmi was dismissed by FC Porto just days after their underwhelming exit from the FIFA Club World Cup. The stats don’t lie — two draws, one defeat, five goals scored, six conceded. As the worst-performing European side in Group A, it wasn’t just disappointing; it was catastrophic for a club built on tactical discipline and silverware pedigree.
I’ve been tracking Portuguese football since my days at LSE, and let me tell you — even my telenovela-loving aunt back in Lisbon didn’t expect this. But here we are: a manager who had already delivered solid results domestically (third place last season) is gone before he could even settle.
Why Did It Happen So Fast?
You might think “one bad tournament” isn’t enough to fire someone — but Porto doesn’t play by average rules. They’re not just a club; they’re an institution shaped by legends like Eusebio and Deco. When your brand is tied to consistent performance on global stages, failing abroad becomes personal.
Anselmi took over in January 2025 after a promising stint in Belgium and Brazil’s top flight. His first campaign showed promise: 10 wins, 6 draws from 21 games. But when it came to international exposure? The wheels fell off.
Data reveals something deeper: Porto’s xG (expected goals) was below average during those matches — not because of poor finishing but due to structural issues in transition defense. That’s where my Python models come in: I ran simulations showing how much better they’d have done with tighter pressing zones.
The Search for the New Coach – And Who Might Fill It
Enter Fabio Farioli — former boss of Ajax and Nice — now set for Turin-level expectations at Dragão Stadium. If true (and sources confirm), this is no mid-tier hire. Farioli brings elite defensive organization and high-intensity pressing systems that align perfectly with modern European standards.
But here’s my take: Can he fix what wasn’t broken except on the world stage? There’s always risk when replacing success with ambition.
We’re witnessing a classic case of short-term pain vs long-term vision — common across elite clubs like Chelsea or PSG when results falter under pressure.
What This Means for Portuguese Football & Analytics Trends
This decision sends ripples beyond Oporto. It proves that even coaches who perform well domestically must deliver on global platforms now more than ever.
It also highlights how analytics are no longer optional tools — they’re required ammunition for front-office decisions. My xG/xA models flagged early warning signs during pre-tournament training sessions; unfortunately, those weren’t acted upon fast enough.
And yes, I still drum along to samba beats while reviewing match footage every morning at 5:30 AM precisely because passion fuels precision… even if sometimes it leads to fiery exits like this one.
So what comes next? Watch closely: Farioli may reshape Porto’s structure entirely through data-driven rotations and player tracking protocols inspired by Manchester City’s lab model.
SambaSpreadsheet
Hot comment (5)
Ансельмів фінал у світі
Порту вигнав тренера за одну турнірну мить — якщо б це була гра, то це була б вибухова розграшна в межах 15 секунд.
Два нічия і поразка? У ФК Порту це не «погано», це уже катастрофа з пасивом у статистиці й швидким пожежним сигналом у кабінетах.
Але ж хто мав думати? Навіть моїй тетусь-теле-новеллєвцю з Лиссабону не спало на думку такий сюрприз.
Аналітика чи сьогодення?
Моя Python-модель показала: проблема не в нападах. Проблема — у перехопленнях під час переходу. Тобто тренер стояв на полюванні за птахами, а гравцям приходилося ловити крихти.
Тепер приходить Фаріолi — який буде давати пресинг як диктор новин на ефір. Всё буде ідеально… або ж начебто.
Що далі?
Чи треба замінювати успiшного тренера через один свiтовий турнiр? Якщо так — то кожна команда має думати про швидке роз’їздення по всьому свiту.
Але незважаючи на все: я продовжую дивитися матчi о 5:30 ранку під сьогоднiшню сьогоденну самбу! Бо нав’язливий ритм — це частина аналiзу!
Ваше слово? Чому саме тепер? Кидай коментар! 🎤🔥
بوستو تخلّى عن المدرب؟
أكيد، أسرع من تمريرة عكسية في ريو! بعد مباريات بطيئة وتسديدات مخيبة، خرج أنسلمي بسرعة أكبر من فرصة تسجيل هدف في الدقائق الأخيرة.
ماذا حدث بالضبط؟
متوسط الأهداف المتوقعة (xG) عند مستوى متدني، والدفاع يهرول كأنه مشغول بلعبة جيم! البيانات كانت تنذِر منذ التدريبات… لكنهم لم يستمعوا!
هل فاريولي هو الحل؟
إذا جاء فاريولي فعلاً، سيكون مثل إدخال نظام ناسا للفريق! ضغط عالٍ، تنظيم دقيق… ولكن: هل نحتاج لتحويل نادي يُعرف بـ”الانضباط” إلى مختبر علمي؟
الخلاصة:
ليست المشكلة في المدرب… المشكلة في الانتظار حتى ينهار العالم قبل أن تتحرك!
ما رأيكم؟ شاركونا بأفضل مدرب يمكنه إنقاذ بوستو من الفوضى! 📊⚽🔥
Anselmi foi embora?
O que aconteceu? Um treinador com bons números domésticos e um coração de fã do futebol brasileiro… foi demitido antes mesmo de terminar o segundo tempo da Copa do Mundo de Clubes!
Pior: depois de dois empates e uma derrota, com xG abaixo da média… parece que até o meu tio da Lisboa (que só entende de telenovelas) achou estranho.
Farioli vem com o plano B?
Agora entra Farioli — ex-Ajax e Nice — como novo técnico. Se for verdade (e as fontes são confiáveis), ele traz pressão alta e defesa organizada… tipo um robô bem-vestido.
Mas será que ele consegue consertar algo que só falhou no palco internacional? O Porto é instituição — não pode ter um ‘fiasco’ em campo mundial.
E o meu Python?
Enquanto isso, eu reviso vídeos às 5h da manhã batendo samba no fundo… porque paixão alimenta precisão. Até quando o gráfico mostra ‘crise’, ninguém escuta.
E vocês? Acham que Farioli é o salvador ou só mais um técnico no jogo do risco? Comentem! 🎤🔥
So Anselmi got canned faster than you can say ‘xG underperformance.’ One Club World Cup flop, and boom — job gone. Even my aunt in Lisbon (who only watches telenovelas) saw this coming. But hey, at least we’ve got Fabio Farioli on the way — because nothing says ‘serious rebuild’ like replacing success with ambition. 🏆🔥
Anyone else think Porto’s next coach should bring a spreadsheet… and maybe a fire extinguisher? 😂
Drop your dream tactical fix below — I’ll run it through my Python models (and yes, I still dance to samba while doing it).
کیا انسیلملی نے پورتو کو چھوڑ دیا؟ اس سے زیادہ بات بنتی ہے کہ وہ میرٹس لائنز کو تبدیل کر رہا تھا! جب آئی کے فارمولا مین موڈل نے بتھر سرکٹس کے اعداد دکھائے، تو اُس نے صرف دو ڈراوز اور پانچ گولز سمجھ لئے — باقِت بندِنگ والیدِنگز کا خواب دیکھ لئے! جب فارسٹر سفٹ ویر مانع حتمّت رکھتا، تو اندر شدّنگز نے واقع مین پاؤں رکھ دئ۔ کون ساکھتا؟ #آئی_این_ای_ای_ای_ای_ای_ای
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