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Mauricio Pellegrino – the Southampton managerial target in profile

By Nikos Lemanis

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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MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 27: Ruben Soriano of Deportivo Alaves competes for the ball with Jordi Alba (L) and Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona during the Copa Del Rey Final between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Vicente Calderon stadium on May 27, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 27: Ruben Soriano of Deportivo Alaves competes for the ball with Jordi Alba (L) and Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona during the Copa Del Rey Final between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Vicente Calderon stadium on May 27, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

Style

During his successful season at Alavés, much attention turned to Pellegrino’s style of play.

Known to spend days preparing his match tactics, he has shown the ability to switch fluidly between formations when required. Sometimes he plays with two up front, sometimes with one. Sometimes he presses high, sometimes he limits the pressure to his own half.

Occasionally he even plays with 5 at the back to nullify a superior team, as was seen most successfully in Alavés’ 2-1 victory against Barcelona at the Camp Nou earlier in the season.

As both a player and assistant manager of Liverpool, Pellegrino has experience and a desire to return to the Premiership. When recently asked about his desire to return to England, he stated that “the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and to be there and be part of it is important. I’d like to be there one day. I must say that.”

Suitability

His managerial record can’t be described exemplary, but Pellegrino’s recent achievements suggest a tactical mind that is quickly developing.

When Southampton appointed Pochettino, his record with Espanyol was not indicative of his ability. However the board recognised the potential for his style of play to be effective at Southampton and in the Premier League. The perceived risk paid off, even if it did open up opportunities for him to subsequently move on.

One key question is around his relatively short managerial tenures. As a manager he hasn’t spent more than two seasons with a club yet, although not always out of choice. Would Pellegrino use Southampton as a stepping stone, or is he ready for a long-term project?