Martín Anselmi takes charge at Elche: one-year contract and focus on attacking football. Elche has officially announced the appointment of Martín Anselmi as head coach. The Argentinian has signed a one-year deal with an option to extend. The club is betting on renewal and an attack-minded style of play.
Elche CF has concluded a two-week search for a new head coach by announcing the appointment of Martín Anselmi. The Argentine specialist, who will turn 41 in July, will be working in Spain for the first time. He has signed a one-year contract with an option to extend if the team meets its objectives. This decision comes after the departure of Eder Sarabia, with the club now focusing on updating its approach and returning to a more dynamic style of play.
Martín Rodrigo Anselmi, originally from Buenos Aires, holds a degree in journalism and began his coaching career in 2015 within the Argentine club system. His professional football journey started with youth teams, where he developed his own vision of positional football. Anselmi soon gained experience with Chilean side Unión La Calera, then moved on to Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle. With this club, he won the Copa Sudamericana in 2022 and the Recopa Sudamericana, and also competed in the Copa Libertadores. Earlier, in 2019, he had already won the Sudamericana as assistant to Miguel Ángel Ramírez.
After his successes in South America, Anselmi took charge of Mexico’s Cruz Azul, where he set a points record in the short tournaments, leading the Apertura 2024. In February 2025, he moved to Europe as head coach of Portugal's FC Porto. Under his guidance, the team claimed nine victories, three draws, and three defeats in 15 league matches. Anselmi made his debut in the Europa League and participated in the inaugural edition of the new Club World Cup, but was dismissed after a disappointing summer campaign. His most recent position was with Brazil’s Botafogo, where over three months he managed six matches, earning two wins and suffering four losses.
Elche emphasizes that inviting Anselmi is a commitment to football with a focus on initiative and an attacking philosophy. The club notes that the Argentine coach builds teams with a strong individuality and a recognizable offensive style, which aligns with Elche’s plans to create a competitive and attractive project for fans amid growing competition in La Liga.
In Spanish football, coaching appointments with international backgrounds are becoming increasingly common. For comparison, Caroline Weir recently ended her stint with Real Madrid Femenino, which also marked a significant event for the country’s club football — more details can be found in the article on the retirement of the Madrid club’s leader. In Elche’s case, the club expects that a new coaching approach will help the team secure its place in the top flight and draw attention to the project against the backdrop of intensifying competition.
Elche CF is one of the oldest clubs in the Valencian Community, competing in La Liga and traditionally focused on developing its own academy. The appointment of Martín Anselmi could become an important milestone for the club, which is seeking a balance between results and entertainment. In recent years, Spanish clubs are increasingly turning to specialists from Latin America, reflecting a trend towards renewing coaching ideas and searching for new solutions in a highly competitive environment.
