The sports world was recently rocked by the sudden departure of Martín Anselmi from Cruz Azul to Porto, stirring up conflict and legal repercussions for all involved. The abrupt and unexpected shift of the Argentinian coach left the Mexican club reeling, particularly after revelations about how they became aware of his negotiations with the Portuguese team.
According to Mexican journalist Carlos Ponce de León, Benfica, Cruz Azul's long-time rival, acted as the whistleblower concerning Anselmi’s discussions with the Portuguese club. Reported by Récord, it seems the representatives of Anselmi had opened discussions with Benfica as well, normal practice when negotiating coach transfers. This adjustment rapidly escalated tensions between the two clubs.
Initially hired to restore Cruz Azul's former glory, Anselmi's tenure was marred by inconsistent results, culminating in two disappointing seasons. With expectations high at the onset of the current Clausura 2025 tournament, his sudden decision to leave caught the club and its fanbase off guard, especially as they dealt with lackluster performances, having only secured one point from their first two matches.
Anselmi's abrupt announcement triggered immediate frustration from Cruz Azul’s management, particularly from President Víctor Velázquez. Not only did his departure appear hasty, but it also bypassed proper communication protocols—that is, informing the club about his contact with Porto. Velázquez indicated the club would pursue legal action against Anselmi for breach of contract and noted the €5 million exit clause was neither met nor negotiated satisfactorily, as Porto allegedly offered only €3 million.
Frustrations mounted when Anselmi traveled to Porto alone, leaving his entire coaching staff behind as they awaited the looming legal issues. Following the guidance from Benfica, Cruz Azul was left to pick up the pieces and seek new leadership, with Vicente Sánchez stepping in as interim coach as the search for Anselmi’s successor began.
The plight of Cruz Azul now stands eerily juxtaposed with Anselmi’s ambitions as he moves to Porto. The irony of the situation echoes in the realms of sport: Benfica, traditionally seen as the enemy of Porto, becomes an unexpected ally for Cruz Azul, functioning as the messenger. "It's very normal for clubs to touch base with one another during negotiations," explained Ponce de León, helping to elucidate the intricacies of football dealings.
Anselmi remained tight-lipped as he arrived in Madrid on his way to Portugal, avoiding questions about his abrupt exit and future with Porto. A crowd of curious fans presented him with Porto merchandise, but the coach opted to refuse their gestures, continuing to shun any additional attention amid the swirling controversy.
This engaging turn of events presents yet another chapter for Cruz Azul and Anselmi, as they each navigate their tumultuous path forward. Anselmi’s departure leaves behind uncertainty for the team as they grapple with their rocky start and face uncomfortable decisions about leadership and player morale.
With Anselmi’s future secured at Porto, and Cruz Azul entangled in legal battles, the outcome of this narrative will be closely monitored by fans, pundits, and rival clubs alike as all parties adapt to the shifting footballing climate. Will Cruz Azul find the right coach to lead them through this turbulent time, or will Anselmi bring success to Porto, emblematic of what could have been for the Mexican club?