From Stepping Down at Ajax to Unbeaten at Porto – How This Manager Has Turned it All Around

From Stepping Down at Ajax to Unbeaten at Porto – How This Manager Has Turned it All Around

The sacking of a manager in the volatile era of modern football is a common occurrence. In fact, often all it takes is a minor run of subpar results for a job to be placed under intense scrutiny.

But on a rare occasion, managers don't lose their job by being made redundant and instead step away from their role at the helm of a club.

And when one of football's most exciting young managers, Francesco Farioli, ended what many expected to be a blossoming tenure at Dutch giants Ajax just last summer in that exact manner, many wondered what was next.

Coming back from such a chaotic reign is often a grimy uphill battle and one that takes years to conquer, but what has actually unfolded is one of the most interesting comeback stories football has seen.

From Nice to Ajax: A Rollercoaster Journey

Farioli learnt his managerial trade under the guidance of Marseille's Roberto De Zerbi as his goalkeeping coach at both Sassuolo and Benevento in Italy.

His first actual managerial role came in the form of Turkish club Alanyaspor, where he stayed for just over a year before leaving by mutual consent in early 2023.

This then led into a step up in job with a move to Ligue 1 occupiers Nice, where he showed his class, leading them to a first-ever European qualification in a 5th-place finish.

Once again, as you might expect, Farioli had options on the table with a multitude of clubs sniffing around for his signature.

All of this attention meant the Italian decided another new job was the best move for him, and he picked up the slack at Ajax in May 2024, looking to further impose himself as one of the most exciting young managers in the world.

What followed was one of the most turbulent seasons in Ajax's history, which saw a chaotic title race, in which Ajax lost out on the final day to PSV Eindhoven.

🚨 BREAKING: Francesco Farioli has now decided to leave Ajax with immediate effect.

The head coach has informed the club’s board of his decision. pic.twitter.com/30ldLyKaLc

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 19, 2025

Many wondered what would be next for the man who was thought to be set for the very top of the managerial world, with the murky waters that surrounded his Ajax exit causing a stir in the footballing world.

But, as if like clockwork, Farioli once again penned himself another job, with another historic club in European football in Porto – and what has unfolded thus far has been nothing short of incredible.

Powerful Porto & Thriving Tactics

The early going of Farioli's Portuguese adventure has been nothing short of immense thus far.

In Liga Portugal, Porto currently sit unbeaten after 15 games, with 14 wins and just one draw. In the Europa League, Porto sit inside the coveted top eight, with four wins, one draw and one defeat from six games thus far.

Going forward, they have been imperious; defensively, they have been indomitable, and it is all thanks to new boss Francesco.

In Possession

When looking to play out from the back, as has been the case with every team Farioli has managed, Porto's centre backs split into deep positions beyond the width of the box – this then allows the holding midfielder, which is most commonly Alan Varela, to drop into the space opened up and get involved in the early build-up.

The width of the centre backs has a knock-on effect for the fullbacks, who are given the licence to step higher, usually taking on an inverted role and occupying the space left by the vacant 6 and the two number eights.

Francesco Farioli's Porto continue to develop a greater trust and understanding as the season develops.

The spontaneous and sensible movement, such as Alberto Costa's (RWB) here, was absent in some of the earlier stumbling blocks this season. pic.twitter.com/oYvQrGoQ7C

— Reece Edwards (@ReeceEdwardsX) December 9, 2025

This plan revolves around creating numerical advantages in the early phase, allowing Porto to progress the ball through the thirds with short, intricate combinations and bypassing the opposition's first line.

Once the ball is progressed into the midfield areas, the wingers stay high and wide, with the two eights tasked with linking up the play to the forward line.

This creates a front five formation going forward, whilst also providing the stability of having inverted fullbacks should Porto lose the ball in those forward areas.

Out of Possession

The initial goal out of possession is to win the ball back in forward areas, utilising that mentioned front five and those supporting behind to prevent quick counters.

If that fails, Farioli looks to compact the pitch, dropping into a narrow low block which aims to force opposition build-up wide and prevent balls threaded into those dangerous central areas.

And that is a system which has seen Porto, as previously touched upon, only concede four goals in the league so far this season. Four goals after 15 games, ridiculous.

Farioli Going To The Top?

The beauty of the Porto side he inherited this season is that a lot of the players fit his system almost perfectly.

Looking at the likes of Gabri Veiga, Rodrigo Mora, the mentioned Alan Varela, and even the attributes of sought-after forward Samu Aghegowa – you can see why Farioli is succeeding.

Francesco Farioli has completely transformed FC Porto’s mentality, building a strong relationship with his players in the process. Crises of confidence and identity are now a thing of the past, and the team is once again showing a true fighting spirit on the pitch.

[@abolapt] pic.twitter.com/BkRH7ElaUe

— PortoReport (@PortoReport) October 9, 2025

Farioli has the ability to go far in the managerial game, and although he hasn't had to implement anything yet, signs that he is tactically diverse and can adapt mid-game are present.

The height of his ceiling isn't yet defined, but if the early signs of his career are anything to go by, seeing Francesco Farioli on your TV screen at the weekend will likely be a formality in the near future.