Southampton have appointed Pellegrino as Claude Puel’s successor.
New Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has explained what Southampton are getting with Mauricio Pellegrino.
The former Deportivo Alaves head coach was sworn in at St Mary’s on Friday, signing a three-year deal to succeed Claude Puel.
The Argentine impressed in his solitary season in the Basque Country, leading the newly promoted side to ninth in La Liga and the final of the Copa del Rey.
And in the eyes of Balague, who later praised Southampton’s ‘forward thinking’ in hiring Pellegrino, the 45-year-old should prove a good fit for the south coast side.
He posted the following on Twitter:
Pellegrino, who is believed to have chosen Southampton over their Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, is already familiar with English football, having played for and coached at Liverpool under Rafa Benitez – the current Newcastle United manager.
Rafael Benitez [left] with Mauricio Pellegrino at Liverpool
Since then, the thrice-capped former Argentina international has managed Spanish giants Valencia, as well as Estudiantes and Independiente in his homeland.
He becomes Southampton’s fifth manager since their return to England’s top flight, after Nigel Adkins, Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman and Puel.
How far can Southampton go under Pellegrino?
General view of Southampton’s St Mary’s stadium
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