The signing of Martín Anselmi marks a profound renewal for Elche CF. The Argentine coach, still unknown to much of the football world, arrives with the unconditional support of Christian Bragarnik, who fully trusts the model that led Anselmi to success in Ecuador with Independiente del Valle and in Mexico with Cruz Azul.
Although his recent experiences at Porto (Portugal) and Botafogo (Brazil) did not end happily, both were marked by complex circumstances. At the Portuguese club, the departure of key players and a poor performance in the Club World Cup complicated his project. In Brazil, a FIFA sanction limited his signing capacity, and the rapid schedule prevented the development of his method, leading to his dismissal shortly after.
Despite these setbacks, Anselmi remains enthusiastic about replicating the success achieved in Ecuador, where he won the Copa Sudamericana, and in Mexico. His philosophy is based on high pressing and quick ball recovery, concepts he was able to implement during his year as an assistant and 18 months as head coach under Miguel Ángel Ramírez.
The new 'franjiverde' coach admires Marcelo Bielsa, although he does not consider himself as radical in his methods. Anselmi favors versatile players capable of fulfilling different roles, adapting his tactical system to the team's needs during a match. He has been influenced by coaches such as Gabi Milito and has undertaken study tours to learn from coaches like Iñigo Pérez, Andoni Iraola, Marcelino García Toral, and Carlos Corberán, thus gaining a thorough understanding of the Spanish league.
Anselmi hopes to establish a long-term project at Elche CF, with one guaranteed year and another optional. The summer period will be crucial for implementing his personal method, building on the legacy of the previous coach, Eder Sarabia. Bragarnik's patience and confidence will be fundamental to success.
The Argentine coach also stands out for his commitment to «Big Data», viewing data as a fundamental tool complemented by fieldwork. This vision aligns perfectly with Bragarnik's project, who invested heavily in him after his success in Mexico, despite his departure causing controversy.
Bragarnik has secured the signing of a coach with considerable market value in Mexico, where he was also on the radar of clubs like Monterrey. Following several video conferences, both parties were convinced, and the agreement was finalized after a two-week selection process.
Now, Anselmi is already focused on his new challenge at Elche CF, confident that where he has had time and trust, results have followed. The objective is to demonstrate his growth as a coach and consolidate the 'franjiverde' project.
