Former Ajax boss Farioli appointed by Porto

Porto have appointed Francesco Farioli as their new head coach on a two-year deal, having parted company with Martin Anselmi earlier this week.

The Portuguese giants endured their first trophyless campaign since 2020-21 last season, finishing third in the Primeira Liga and failing to reach the final of either of Portugal’s domestic cups.

Anselmi, who only replaced Vitor Bruno in January, was then relieved of his duties after Porto failed to win a game at the Club World Cup, finishing third in Group A behind Palmeiras and Inter Miami.

Both Anselmi and Bruno enjoyed just half a season in charge at the Estadio do Dragao, after Sergio Conceicao’s seven-year tenure with the club ended in 2024.

Porto hope Farioli will be able to bring stability back to the club, though he has only lasted one season in each of his last two jobs.

Home #SeguimosJuntos pic.twitter.com/wApqbIB04i

— FC Porto (@FCPorto) July 6, 2025

The Italian, who rose to prominence in charge during spells with Turkish Super Lig clubs Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor, led Nice to a fifth-placed finish in Ligue 1 in 2023-24, then joined Ajax in May 2024.

His team were on course to capture the Eredivisie title when they entered the final five games of the season with a nine-point lead over PSV, but an astonishing collapse saw them finish as runners-up.

Ajax only took five points from their final five matches, with PSV finishing with five straight victories to snatch the crown.

That represented the first time in history that any team had led one of Europe’s big six leagues (Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Eredivisie) by as many as nine points with five games remaining and failed to win the title.

Farioli resigned and was replaced by former Netherlands defender John Heitinga, with the Italian being linked with Brentford before they appointed Keith Andrews as Thomas Franks’ successor.

Porto’s 2025-26 campaign begins with a home game against Vitoria Guimaraes on August 10.