Real Sociedad’s Pellegrino Matarazzo makes U.S. soccer history in Copa del Rey final win
Matarazzo has led Real Sociedad to victory against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, managing a feat achieved by no other U.S. coach.
Real Sociedad boss Pellegrino Matarazzo has made U.S. soccer history after leading the Basque club to victory in the Copa del Rey final against Atlético Madrid.
Matarazzo is America’s first
Matarazzo becomes the first American head coach to lift a major trophy with a club from one of Europe’s top five soccer nations - Spain, England, Germany, France and Italy.
By beating Athletic Club in the Copa semifinals in March, Matarazzo had already established himself as the only U.S. coach to take a team from one of Europe’s elite leagues to a major cup final.
Pellegrino Matarazzo is the first U.S.-born manager to win a trophy with a club in Europe's top five leagues 🇺🇸🤍💙 pic.twitter.com/3Zxd3Et0xt
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 18, 2026
“Very, very special”
Speaking on Friday, the 48-year-old said the final was far from the first crunch clash of his coaching career - but noted that the prospect of landing silverware brought with it a crucial added buzz.
“I’ve played in several ‘finals’ before, but this is the first time where you play for a title,” he told his pre-final press conference. “Of course, for me personally also, this is something very, very special.”
“Don’t think many would have expected this”
La Real’s penalty shootout victory over Atlético is the club’s first Copa win since 2021 - and their fourth overall. It also caps a coupon-busting opening half-season under Matarazzo, who was hired by the Basques in December.
“I don’t think many people would have expected this when we first began,” Matarazzo told an interview with The Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan.
“Jokin [Aperribay, club president] and Erik [Bretos, sporting director] trusted in my ability to deal with the situation. We’ve managed to find very good solutions to bring this team back into a winning mentality, and a winning path.”
REAL SOCIEDAD WIN THEIR FOURTH COPA DEL REY TITLE AND QUALIFY FOR THE EUROPA LEAGUE 🏆
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 18, 2026
Pellegrino Matarazzo becomes the first-ever U.S, born manager to win a trophy in a top-five European league 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/gwsTGgJl7n
La Real’s record under Matarazzo
When Matarazzo took over in San Sebastián - becoming LaLiga’s first ever American head coach - La Real were just two points clear of the relegation zone, having won only four of their first 17 games of the league season.
Under the New Jersey native, however, La Real have risen to the brink of LaLiga’s European spots. Last weekend, indeed, only a 97th-minute equalizer for Deportivo Alavés prevented the Txuri-Urdin from going level on points with sixth-placed Celta Vigo.
In all, La Real have now won 12 and lost just three of their 19 games under Matarazzo, who was named LaLiga’s Manager of the Month for January.
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