FC Porto has officially announced the appointment of Italian tactician Francesco Farioli as their new head coach for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The 36-year-old manager has signed a two-year contract that will keep him at the Portuguese club until the summer of 2027.
Farioli, a native of Tuscany, brings a unique background to his new role. With a degree in Philosophy from the University of Florence, he combines his academic prowess with his passion for football. Despite his relatively young age, Farioli has already accumulated significant experience in top-flight football management.
Prior to joining Porto, Farioli had a brief but eventful spell with Ajax in the Netherlands. During his tenure, the team showed promise early on, building a nine-point lead at the top of the table. However, they stumbled in the final stretch of the 2024-25 season, ultimately finishing second behind PSV Eindhoven. Farioli and Ajax parted ways by mutual consent in May, citing differences in principles.
Porto will be the fifth club in Farioli`s managerial career. His previous experiences include stints in Turkey with Fatih Kamagumruk and Alanyaspor, as well as time at OGC Nice in France before his move to Ajax.
Farioli takes over from Martin Anselmi, who was appointed in January but was dismissed following a disappointing performance at the FIFA Club World Cup, despite guiding the team to a third-place finish in the league.
As Farioli prepares to take the helm at Porto, fans and pundits alike will be eager to see how his philosophical approach and tactical acumen will shape the team`s performance in the coming seasons.