Mauricio Pellegrino

Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna (American Spanish: [mawˈɾisjo peleˈɣɾino]; born 5 October 1971) is an Argentine former footballer who played as a central defender, and is the current manager of Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield.

Not to be confused with Maurizio Pellegrino.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Pellegrino and the second or maternal family name is Luna.

Mauricio Pellegrino
Pellegrino managing Southampton in 2017
Personal information
Full name Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna[1]
Date of birth (1971-10-05) 5 October 1971[2]
Place of birth Leones, Argentina[2]
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Vélez Sarsfield (manager)
Youth career
1982–1987 CA Sarmiento
1987–1990 Vélez Sarsfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1999 Vélez Sarsfield 186 (11)
1998–1999 → Barcelona (loan) 23 (0)
1999–2005 Valencia 140 (5)
2005 Liverpool 12 (0)
2005–2006 Alavés 13 (0)
Total 374 (16)
National team
1993 Argentina U20 2 (0)
1997 Argentina 3 (0)
Teams managed
2012 Valencia
2013–2015 Estudiantes
2015–2016 Independiente
2016–2017 Alavés
2017–2018 Southampton
2018–2019 Leganés
2020– Vélez Sarsfield
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

After nearly one decade with Vélez Sarsfield, he spent the vast majority of his remaining career in Spain, amassing La Liga totals of 176 games and five goals over the course of eight seasons for three clubs, notably Valencia with which he won three titles (he won nine while in Argentina). He also had a six-month stint with Liverpool, and appeared with Argentina at the 1997 Copa América.

Pellegrino embarked on a managerial career after retiring, notably working two years with Estudiantes and leading Alavés to the 2017 Copa del Rey Final. For eight months, he was in charge of Southampton in the Premier League.

Playing career

Vélez and Barcelona

Born in Leones, Córdoba,[3] Pellegrino played for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield during a large portion of the 90s, as the Buenos Aires-based club experienced its golden age, winning four Primeira División championships and the 1994 Intercontinental and Libertadores Cups.

He had his first experience abroad in 1998–99, joining Louis van Gaal's FC Barcelona on loan.[4] He made his La Liga debut on 12 September 1998 in a 1–0 home win against CF Extremadura,[5] and would be used regularly during the campaign, which ended with league conquest.[6]

Valencia

Pellegrino had his best years with another Spanish side, Valencia CF, partnering countryman Roberto Ayala in the heart of the back-four while helping them to two league titles during his tenure,[7] with the addition of the 2003–04 edition of the UEFA Cup.[8]

Arguably his worst moment occurred during the 2000–01 final of the UEFA Champions League as he missed the last penalty shootout attempt against FC Bayern Munich (1–1 after 120 minutes)[9]– he also played in the previous season's decisive match, which also ended in defeat, to Real Madrid (0–3).[10] Overall though, in his six years at the Mestalla Stadium, he was a very important defensive unit, and amassed 213 official appearances for the Che.

Liverpool and retirement

In early January 2005, after having been frozen out by Claudio Ranieri,[11] Pellegrino joined former Valencia boss Rafael Benítez at Liverpool on a free transfer, signing a six-month contract[12]– this move made him the first Argentine player in the history of the club. He played 12 times for the Reds in the Premier League – 13 overall – but his performances were not enough to secure a longer contract, and he was released by the club at the end of the season. He was cup-tied for the Champions League campaign,[13] and did not feature in the victory over A.C. Milan in the final of the competition.

Afterwards, Pellegrino returned to Spain, having an unassuming stint with Deportivo Alavés (less than half of the matches played, first division relegation).[14]

International

Pellegrino earned three caps for Argentina, all during 1997. He was picked for the squad at that year's Copa América and made his debut in the continental tournament against Ecuador in the group stage.[15]

Coaching career
Pellegrino as Southampton manager in 2017

After retiring in June 2006, Pellegrino stayed connected with Valencia, coaching its Cadete-B (youth team). Two years later he decided to return to Liverpool, who still had Benítez in charge, as first-team coach,[16] a position in which he remained until the middle of 2010 as the pair moved to Inter Milan.[17]

In December 2010, as Benítez resigned from his post, Pellegrino was also dismissed.[18] On 7 May 2012 he was appointed at former club Valencia, signing for two years as a replacement for Unai Emery who left at the end of the season.[19]

On 1 December 2012, following a 2–5 home loss against Real Sociedad which left the side in 12th place, Pellegrino was relieved of his duties.[20] He subsequently returned to his country, signing with Estudiantes de La Plata.[21]

On 14 April 2015, Pellegrino was sacked by president Juan Sebastián Verón.[22] In June, he was appointed at fellow league team Club Atlético Independiente.[23]

Pellegrino returned to Alavés on 26 June 2016, being named José Bordalás's successor as the club had just been promoted to the top flight.[24] In his first season he qualified the team for the final of the Copa del Rey for the first time ever, after a 1–0 aggregate defeat of RC Celta de Vigo;[25] in the decisive match, played in Madrid, they lost 3–1 to Barcelona.[26]

On 23 June 2017, Pellegrino was appointed manager of Southampton on a three-year contract.[27][28] He was dismissed the following 12 March, with the team at risk of relegation after winning one of their last 17 matches.[29]

Pellegrino returned to the Spanish top division on 2 June 2018, signing a one-year deal with CD Leganés.[30] In October 2019, as the side was last in the standings with only two points, he left by mutual consent.[31]

On 16 April 2020, Pellegrino replaced Gabriel Heinze at the helm of Vélez Sarsfield and agreed to a contract until June 2021.[32]

Managerial statistics
As of match played 17 January 2021[33]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref.
G W D L Win %
Valencia 4 June 2012 1 December 2012 21 10 4 7 047.62 [34]
Estudiantes 5 April 2013 14 April 2015 98 40 31 27 040.82
Independiente 4 June 2015 10 May 2016 41 21 13 7 051.22
Alavés 26 June 2016 29 May 2017 47 18 17 12 038.30 [35]
Southampton 23 June 2017 12 March 2018 35 9 13 13 025.71
Leganés 2 June 2018 21 October 2019 51 13 15 23 025.49 [36]
Vélez Sarsfield 17 April 2020 Present 20 10 5 5 050.00
Career total 313 121 98 94 038.66

Honours

Player

Vélez Sarsfield

Barcelona

Valencia

Manager

Alavés

References
  1. Martínez Viguri, José Ángel (23 June 2016). "El Alavés confía su banquillo a Pellegrino" [Alavés trust their bench to Pellegrino]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  2. "Mauricio PELLEGRINO". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  3. Molina, Pedro (3 March 2015). "Mauricio Pellegrino, pincharrata por adopción" [Mauricio Pellegrino, pincharrata by adoption]. El Gráfico (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  4. Piñol, Àngels (29 August 1998). "El Barcelona ficha a Kluivert y a Pellegrino contrarreloj" [Barcelona sign Kluivert and Pellegrino in the nick of time]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  5. Astruells, Andrés (13 September 1998). "Un Barça muy justito" [Par-for-course Barça]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  6. Borinsky, Diego (2 February 2012). "Pellegrino: "A Mourinho lo tuve como ayudante de Van Gaal, es un buen tipo"" [Pellegrino: "I had Mourinho as Van Gaal's assistant, he is a good guy"]. El Gráfico (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  7. "Defensas: los muros históricos de la Liga" [Defenders: the League's historic walls] (in Spanish). Sphera Sports. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  8. "Valencia 2–0 Marseille". BBC Sport. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  9. "Bayern crowned European champions". BBC Sport. 23 May 2001. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  10. "Real Madrid 3–0 Valencia". The Guardian. 24 May 2000. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  11. Torres, Diego (24 October 2004). "Ranieri se guarda la munición" [Ranieri saves ammo]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  12. "Liverpool seal Pellegrino signing". BBC Sport. 5 January 2005. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  13. Wilson, Paul (3 April 2005). "Rafa trusts in fate and Gerrard". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  14. "Alaves sign defender Pellegrino". BBC Sport. 17 June 2005. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  15. Tabeira, Martín. "Copa América 1997". RSSSF. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  16. "Pellegrino returns as Reds coach". BBC Sport. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  17. Sorrentino, Andrea (20 September 2010). "E' arrivata l'Inter di Benitez" [Benitez's Inter is here]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  18. "Inter Milan sack manager Rafael Benitez". BBC Sport. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  19. "Valencia appoint Pellegrino". ESPN Soccernet. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  20. "Pellegrino sacked by Valencia". ESPN Soccernet. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  21. "Mauricio Pellegrino es el nuevo DT de Estudiantes" [Mauricio Pellegrino is the new Estudiantes HC]. La Nación (in Spanish). 5 April 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  22. "Estudiantes sack Pellegrino after six matches without win". Reuters. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  23. "Pese a la resistencia de los hinchas, Mauricio Pellegrino es el nuevo DT de Independiente" [In spite of resistance from fans, Mauricio Pellegrino is new Independiente HC]. La Nación (in Spanish). 4 June 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  24. "Mauricio Pellegrino, nuevo entrenador del Deportivo Alavés" [Mauricio Pellegrino, new manager of Deportivo Alavés] (in Spanish). Deportivo Alavés. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  25. Egea, Pablo (8 February 2017). "La noche más gloriosa" [The most glorious night]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  26. "Barcelona 3–1 Alavés". BBC Sport. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  27. "Saints appoint Pellegrino". Southampton F.C. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  28. "Mauricio Pellegrino: Southampton appoint former Alaves boss as manager". BBC Sport. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  29. "Mauricio Pellegrino: Southampton sack manager with eight games left of season". BBC Sport. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  30. "Mauricio Pellegrino, nuevo entrenador del Club Deportivo Leganés" [Mauricio Pellegrino, new manager of Club Deportivo Leganés] (in Spanish). CD Leganés. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  31. "Mauricio Pellegrino deja de ser entrenador del Leganés" [Mauricio Pellegrino is no longer manager of Leganés] (in Spanish). Cadena SER. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  32. "Es oficial: Mauricio Pellegrino firmó y es nuevo DT de Vélez" [It's official: Mauricio Pellegrino signed and is Vélez's new HC]. Clarín (in Spanish). 16 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  33. Mauricio Pellegrino coach profile at Soccerway
  34. "Pellegrino: Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  35. "Pellegrino: Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  36. "Pellegrino: Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna". BDFutbol. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  37. Andrés, Juan Pablo; Ciullini, Pablo; Stokkermans, Karel. "Supercopa Libertadores 1996". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  38. Ciullini, Pablo. "Recopa 1996". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  39. Puig, Darío (5 May 2012). "Diez años de la primera Liga 'en color' del Valencia" [Tenth anniversary of Valencia's first League 'in colour']. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  40. Gómez, Héctor (24 November 2012). "Qué ha sido de la plantilla del doblete" [What happened to the double squad] (in Spanish). Plaza Deportiva. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
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