As Southampton confirm they have appointed Mauricio Pellegrino as their new manager, here are five facts to help you get to know the new gaffer a bit more!
1: He has a 43.14% managerial career win ratio
Pellegrino has previously managed Valencia (Spain), Estudiantes (Argentina), Independiente (Argentina) and Alaves (Spain). During his managerial career he has taken charge of 204 matches, winning 88.
2: He made over 350 appearances as a player
As a player, Pellegrino played as a central defender. He played for clubs in Argentina, Spain and England – specifically Liverpool – making 374 appearcnes and scoring 16 goals in total. He has also been capped three times for Argentina.
3: He had a loan spell at Barcelona
The former centre-back’s first experience abroad came when Spanish giants FC Barcelona signed him on a season-long loan. Los Cules were managed by former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal at the time, in a season where Barca won the La Liga title.
4: Pellegrino missed the crucial penalty in the 2000-01 Champions League Final
One of his darkest moments was when he played for Valencia. The Che reached the UEFA Champions League final for the second consecutive season and held Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw after extra-time. However, Pellegrino missed the decisive penalty, giving Bayern the glory.
5: He has just made history with Alaves
Deportivo Alaves gained promotion to La Liga from the Segunda Division at the end of the 2015/16 season. However last season, they took the league by storm. Pellegrino led Alaves to a ninth place finish in their first season back in the top-flight, as well as to the Copa del Rey final. It was the first time in the club’s history that they had reached the final of the competition, but they were unlucky to lose 2-1 at the hands of Barcelona.
