Mauricio Pellegrino – the Southampton managerial target in profile

VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Mauricio Pellegrino of Valencia looks on from the bench during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Valencia CF and FC BATE Borisov at Estadi de Mestalla on November 7, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. Valencia won 4-2. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Mauricio Pellegrino of Valencia looks on from the bench during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Valencia CF and FC BATE Borisov at Estadi de Mestalla on November 7, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. Valencia won 4-2. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
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VALENCIA, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Mauricio Pellegrino of Valencia looks on from the bench during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Valencia CF and FC BATE Borisov at Estadi de Mestalla on November 7, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. Valencia won 4-2. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Mauricio Pellegrino of Valencia looks on from the bench during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Valencia CF and FC BATE Borisov at Estadi de Mestalla on November 7, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. Valencia won 4-2. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)

As reported yesterday, Southampton have started the process of appointing a replacement for Claude Puel. One of the front-runners  is Mauricio Pellegrino, who resigned from his post at Deportivo Alavés last month.

Pellegrino is only 45 but already has an extensive managerial CV. He has held positions at Valencia and Alavés in Spain, and at Independiente and Estudiantes in his native Argentina. Prior to this he was also assistant at Inter and at Liverpool under Rafa Benitez.

He’s a two time Champions League finalist, UEFA cup winner, La Liga winner with two clubs. He is also a friend of former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino.

And although Pellegrino’s managerial career is fairly short, it’s a rollercoaster that is well worth analysing.