Mauricio Pellegrino appointed manager at Southampton
Southampton named Argentine coach Mauricio Pellegrino as their new manager on Friday to replace Claude Puel, who was sacked after just one season.
Premier League side Southampton named Argentinean coach Mauricio Pellegrino as their new manager on Friday to replace Claude Puel, who was sacked after just one season.
Pellegrino takes new step in managerial career
The 45-year-old Pellegrino, who spent last season with Alavés, has agreed a three-year contract at St Mary's and will officially join up with Southampton next week, the club said.
"I’m really happy to become the new coach of Southampton FC. The club has a great reputation for having a strong and stable structure, competing in the Premier League and playing attractive football," Pellegrino told reporters on his presentation before adding, "I think my philosophy and the culture of the club will work well together. We need to be a team on and off the pitch. I want to make the supporters proud of the players and to feel part of our games every week. On top of winning matches, I want to be successful and develop a team spirit where everyone gives 100 percent and supports each other. I am excited and passionate about what the future holds for us".
Pellegrino is the second Argentinean to manage the south coast club, compatriot Mauricio Pochettino was in charge at Southampton before moving to London to take the reins at Tottenham Hotspur.
Puel, 55, took Southampton to a respectable eighth-place finish in the table and to the League Cup final, where they were defeated by Manchester United. But that was not enough to prevent the Frenchman being sacked amid criticism that his team played "unattractive football".
Last season, Pellegrino took Alavés all the way to the Copa del Rey final in his debut season in charge. Previously, he held coaching posts at Valencia, Independiente and Estudiantes as well as working as a member of Rafa Benitez's backroom staff at Liverpool and Inter Milan.
Reed says Southampton have got it spot on with Pellegrino
Southampton vice-chairman Les Reed said the club had been impressed by both Pellegrino's character and approach to football. "I am delighted that after a diligent selection process we have recruited Mauricio Pellegrino as our new first-team manager. We had an impressive list of candidates and went through a comprehensive interview process. Mauricio impressed us throughout with his depth of knowledge, motivation and ability, communicating this in a professional and passionate way. He has an excellent understanding of the Southampton way, and his style of play and aspiration matches the philosophy, culture and ambition of the club. We firmly believe Mauricio is the right person to help us take the next steps”.