Mauricio Pellegrino

Vélez and Barcelona

Born in Leones, Córdoba, Pellegrino played for Vélez Sarsfield for much of the 1990s, as the Buenos Aires-based club experienced its golden age, winning four Primeira División championships and the 1994 Intercontinental Cup and Copa Libertadores. He received the nickname El Flaco ("The Lanky One") for his physique. Pellegrino had his first experience abroad in 1998–99, joining Louis van Gaal's Barcelona on loan. He made his La Liga debut on 12 September 1998 in a 1–0 home win against Extremadura, and would be used regularly during the campaign, which ended with league conquest.

Valencia

Pellegrino had his best years with another Spanish side, Valencia, partnering countryman Roberto Ayala in the heart of the back-four while helping them to two league titles during his tenure, with the addition of the 2003–04 edition of the UEFA Cup. Possessing an Italian passport through descent, he did not take a slot for non-European Union players in the team. Arguably Pellegrino's worst moment occurred during the 2001 UEFA Champions League final as he missed the last penalty shootout attempt against Bayern Munich (1–1 after 120 minutes); he also took part in the previous season's decisive match, which also ended in defeat, to Real Madrid (3–0). Overall though, in his six years at the Mestalla, he was a very important defensive unit, and made 213 official appearances for the Che.

Liverpool and retirement

In early January 2005, after having…

Pellegrino earned three caps for Argentina, all in 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.

Early years

After retiring in June 2006, Pellegrino stayed connected to Valencia, coaching its Cadete B (youth team). Two years later, he returned to Liverpool, who still had Benítez in charge, as first-team coach. In the middle of 2010 the pair moved to Inter Milan, where they were dismissed in December.

Valencia

On 7 May 2012, Pellegrino joined Valencia, signing for two years as a replacement for Unai Emery who had left at the end of the season. The first game of his career was a 1–1 draw at Real Madrid on 19 August. On 1 December 2012, following a 2–5 home loss against Real Sociedad which left the side in 12th place, he was relieved of his duties.

Estudiantes and Independiente

Pellegrino returned to his country, signing with Estudiantes in April 2013. On 14 April 2015, he was sacked by president Juan Sebastián Verón. In June 2015, Pellegrino was appointed at Independiente in the same league.

Alavés

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. 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 Celta; in the decisive match, played in Madrid, they lost 3–1 to Barcelona.

Southampton and Leganés

On 23 June 2017, Pellegrino was appointed coach of Southampton on a three-year contract. He was dismissed the following 12 March, with the team at risk of…

Pellegrino's son and brother, Mateo and Maximiliano, were also footballers. The former made his professional debut for Vélez under his management.