sbet Martin Anselmi From Argentina Succeeds Vitor Bruno As Porto's New Head Coach

Porto have appointed Martin Anselmi as their new coach on a two-and-a-half-year contractsbet, replacing Vitor Bruno at the helm at the Estadio do Dragao. (More Football News)

Bruno was relieved of his duties last week following a poor run of form in both the Primeira Liga and Europa League, with Porto third and 25th respectively in those standings. 

After guiding Porto to the Portuguese Super Cup, Bruno oversaw just 11 wins from his 29 games in charge, with his tenure ending with three straight defeats in all competitions. 

Anselmi arrives from Liga MX side Cruz Azul, a club he joined just over a year ago following a successful spell with Ecuadorian outfit Independiente del Valle. 

The 39-year-old won four major honours during his time in charge of La Maquina, including leading them to the Copa Sudamericana title after beating Sao Paulo in the final in 2022.

During his time in Mexico, Anselmi won 26 of his 50 games in charge (D14 L10), averaging a win percentage of 52% across all competitions. 

𝗠𝗶 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗮 𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗮Bienvenido, 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊́𝒏 𝑨𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒎𝒊 #AnselmiDragão pic.twitter.com/Q2fSJJC8rq

Anselmi's first assignment will be in the Europa League against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, with Porto needing a win in their final game of the league phase to reach the play-off round of the competition. 

"In a few hours, when we start working with the squad, we will build a team that represents and identifies with the blue and whites," Anselmi said at his unveiling on Monday. 

"It is clear what FC Porto means. This is our first experience in Europe as a technical staff and the doors of such a big club have opened for us where they invited us to participate with great conviction.

The India-Pakistan hockey rivalry has lost its sheen in recent times. Hockey in Pakistan has been in a freefall for the last decade or so while Indians have made a tremendous comeback in the same time period. The two countries used to rule world hockey at one point and the seeds for it were sown during the British rule in India.

The team led by Ammad Butt, finally secured their first victory with a 2-1 win over Japan and then delivered a decisive 5-1 win against China, to enter the semi-finals. Their final pool match ended in a narrow 2-1 loss to India.

"Of course it was difficult for the other side, but I felt that if I didn't accept this invitation I wouldn't be okay where I was. I've already talked about the story and the titles, but people also tell it.

"Since I arrived in Portugal, everyone at FC Porto has helped me with everything and anything. That is the essence of every human being at this club, the essence of work and passion.

"To do things well you have to do them with passion and that's what I was passionate about about this club."sbet