FC Porto has officially confirmed the appointment of Francesco Farioli as their new head coach ahead of the 2025-26 season, Softfootball can report.
Porto via a statement on their official website announced the Italian’s arrival marking the beginning of a new chapter at the Estádio do Dragão under one of Europe’s most intriguing young tacticians.
The statement reads that:
Francesco Farioli is the new coach of FC Porto, Born 36 years ago in a small town in Tuscany, Farioli brings with him a unique career path. A football fanatic and former amateur player, he never abandoned his academic journey, earning a Philosophy degree from the University of Florence.”
Farioli takes charge on an initial two-year deal, running until the summer of 2027. He replaces Martín Anselmi, who departed the club following a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga and a disappointing campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Italian arrives in Portugal after a one-season stint at Ajax, where he initially made a strong impression. Under his leadership, Ajax surged to the top of the Eredivisie and held a nine-point lead heading into the final weeks of the 2024-25 campaign.
Porto becomes the fifth club on Farioli’s coaching résumé following spells with Fatih Karagümrük and Alanyaspor in Turkey, OGC Nice in France, and Ajax in the Netherlands.
Still only 36, Farioli has built a growing reputation for his philosophical approach to management and tactical clarity. Known for promoting possession-based, attacking football, his coaching philosophy reflects his academic roots, particularly his belief in football as both an aesthetic and collective endeavour.
Having worked across four top-flight European leagues, Farioli now begins a new adventure in Portuguese football, tasked with guiding Porto back to domestic and continental success.
Earlier reports from SoftFootball indicated how Farioli was linked to Rangers alongside Ancelotti’s son Davide last month before penning a two-year deal with Porto.
The club has been without a permanent head coach since Philippe Clement’s dismissal in February, and they were looking at bringing in Farioli to the Scottish side ahead of the new season. Farioli has managed a total of 167 games across four teams, winning 83, losing 36, and drawing 46.
