Elche Appoints Martin Anselmi as New Head Coach for 2026/27 Season
Elche CF has officially appointed Argentine manager Martin Anselmi as head coach, replacing Eder Sarabia, who left after securing the club’s La Liga status. Anselmi, 40, signed a one-year contract with a performance-based option for a second season. He previously coached Independiente del Valle, Cruz Azul, Porto, and Botafogo, winning the Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana. In his first press conference, Anselmi emphasized building on the team’s possession-based style and competitive ambition without setting specific survival goals.
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New Elche Coach Martín Anselmi Vows Team Cannot Settle for Survival, Praises Predecessor
Martín Anselmi, the new Argentine coach of Spanish football club Elche, was officially presented on June 18, 2026. During the press conference, Anselmi stated that the team 'cannot settle' for merely surviving last season on the final matchday. He praised his predecessor Eder Sarabia, noting he plans to have dinner with him to learn from his knowledge. Anselmi, a 40-year-old Newell's Old Boys fan who admires Marcelo Bielsa and Pep Guardiola, outlined his philosophy of playing 'protagonists, intense, and move the ball as quickly as possible.' He emphasized commitment as non-negotiable and wants the team to be 'intelligent' and able to 'suffer.' Anselmi acknowledged the transfer market will be long due to the World Cup but aims for competitiveness from the first match. Club general director Pedro Schinocca confirmed the club interviewed seven candidates before choosing Anselmi, describing the decision as coming from 'conviction.'
FútbolAnselmi arrives at Elche without setting limits: 'The goal is to be better every day'
Martín Anselmi has been officially presented as the new head coach of Elche CF, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second. The Argentine manager, who previously coached in South America and at Porto, emphasized his desire to avoid limiting the team's ambitions after their promotion to La Liga. Anselmi plans to build on the identity established by his predecessor Sarabia, advocating for a possession-based, high-pressing style. He confirmed he will meet with Josan Ferrández to discuss the winger's future and expressed a cautious approach to squad reinforcement, prioritizing players who understand the club's moment. He acknowledged potential departures of key promotion players and stressed the need for competitiveness from the start of the season.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAnselmi arrives at Elche without setting limits: 'The goal is to be better every day'
Argentine coach Martín Anselmi was presented as the new head coach of Elche CF on June 18, 2026, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second. In his first press conference at the Martínez Valero stadium, Anselmi emphasized a performance-focused approach rather than setting survival or specific classification goals. He praised the team's brave, ball-dominant identity built during the promotion season under Eder Sarabia and pledged to build upon it with his own nuances. Anselmi expressed desire to retain winger Josan Ferrández and stressed cautious, value-driven squad strengthening. He acknowledged potential departures of key promotion players but insisted on maintaining competitiveness from the first match. The coach highlighted the strong fan connection and his excitement for the challenge in Spanish football after successful stints in South America and Porto.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAnselmi arrives at Elche without setting limits: 'The goal is to be better every day'
Martín Anselmi has been presented as the new head coach of Elche CF, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second season. The Argentine coach, who previously managed in South America and at Porto, emphasized that he does not want to set limits on the team's aspirations following their return to La Liga's First Division. He stated the primary goal is daily improvement and competitiveness rather than a specific league position. Anselmi praised the team's brave, ball-possessing style developed under previous coach Sarabia and plans to build on that foundation. He expressed a desire to retain winger Josan Ferrández and advocated for cautious, strategic squad strengthening rather than impulsive signings. Anselmi acknowledged that some key players from the promotion campaign may leave but stressed the need to replace them wisely. He also highlighted the strong connection between the team and its fans as a motivating factor.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaMartín Anselmi arrives in Elche to join first team sports planning
Argentine coach Martín Anselmi, 40, arrived in Elche on June 16, 2026, to begin his role as the new head coach of Elche CF. He replaces Eder Sarabia, who left after achieving promotion to La Liga and securing survival, citing personal reasons. Anselmi will visit the club's facilities and the Martínez Valero stadium, and will be presented to the media later this week. He will work with club owner Christian Bragarnik, general manager Pedro Schinocca, and sports director Pepe Contreras to finalize squad planning and preseason schedule. This marks Anselmi's first coaching experience in Spanish competition.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaElche appoints Martin Anselmi as head coach after Eder Sarabia's departure
Elche has officially appointed Argentine manager Martin Anselmi as their new head coach, following the departure of Eder Sarabia, who left to be closer to his family after keeping the club in La Liga. The 40-year-old Anselmi, who will have a contract for the upcoming season with an option for a second year based on results, will be experiencing La Liga for the first time. This marks his second European coaching stint after a brief six-month period at Porto in 2025. His recent tenure at Botafogo lasted less than three months, contrasting with earlier successful spells at Independiente del Valle in Ecuador and Cruz Azul in Mexico. The appointment was announced on Friday by the club from the province of Alicante.
Mercato 2025 : l'actu des transferts footElche appoints Martin Anselmi as head coach after Eder Sarabia's departure
Elche has officially appointed Martin Anselmi as their new head coach, following the departure of Eder Sarabia, who left to be closer to his family after keeping the club in La Liga. The 40-year-old Argentine manager will have his first experience in Spain's top flight, with a contract for the upcoming season and a second-year option based on results. Anselmi's previous European stint was a brief six-month period at Porto in 2025, and he also had a short, unsuccessful three-month spell at Botafogo. However, he achieved more success earlier in his career at Independiente del Valle in Ecuador and Cruz Azul in Mexico.
Mercato 2025 : l'actu des transferts footElche appoints Martin Anselmi as head coach after Eder Sarabia's departure
Elche has officially appointed Argentine manager Martin Anselmi as head coach, following the departure of Eder Sarabia, who left to be closer to his family after keeping the club in La Liga. The 40-year-old Anselmi, who will have a second-year option based on results, is set for his first experience in Spain's top flight. His previous European stint was a brief six-month spell at Porto in 2025, and he recently lasted less than three months at Botafogo in Brazil. However, Anselmi had earlier success at Independiente del Valle in Ecuador and Cruz Azul in Mexico. The announcement was made on Friday by the club from the province of Alicante.
Mercato 2025 : l'actu des transferts footElche Appoints Martin Anselmi as New Head Coach Replacing Eder Sarabia
Elche CF has officially announced the appointment of Argentine manager Martin Anselmi as the club's new first-team coach for the 2026/27 season, replacing Eder Sarabia. The 40-year-old Anselmi, who has previously managed Botafogo and Porto, will have a contract with an additional year tied to performance objectives. Elche highlighted Anselmi's notable achievements, including winning the 2022 Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana with Independiente del Valle, as well as setting a historic points record in short tournaments while leading Cruz Azul to the top of the 2024 Apertura in Mexico. The club emphasized that the signing reinforces their commitment to a style of football based on possession and competitive ambition. Elche secured their LaLiga EA Sports status for the upcoming season after a 1-1 draw with Girona on the final matchday.
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