Southampton have named Mauricio Pellegrino as the club’s new manager ahead of the 2017/18 season, and his name is rather familiar, isn’t it?
Mauricio Pellegrino has agreed a three-year deal at #SaintsFC and will link up with the club next week: pic.twitter.com/DFq5PYffyR
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 23, 2017
With more than a hint of Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino’s name as well as former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini’s name, Mauricio Pellegrino could turn a few heads when he sits in the dugout in August.
What every football fan imagines when they hear Mauricio Pellegrino has been appointed as @SouthamptonFC's new manager. pic.twitter.com/Nvc06vNtQw
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) June 23, 2017
Have Southampton just merged Mauricio Pochettino and Manuel Pellegrini into one 'Super Manager'?
— Phil Shepka (@PShepka) June 23, 2017
And Liverpool fans might recognise the name for very different reasons. Pellegrino enjoyed some time as a player at Anfield in the 2004/05 season, and was an assistant manager under Rafael Benitez at the club between 2008 and 2010.
9 – Mauricio Pellegrino led Alaves to 9th place in the 2016-17 La Liga season; their highest finish in the top-flight since 2001-02. Saint. pic.twitter.com/3f015D7UC2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 23, 2017
The former defender, who earned three caps for Argentina as a player, enjoyed an impressive spell at La Liga side Alaves before his move to the Premier League was announced, leading the side to ninth place in the league and a Copa del Rey final place, where they lost 3-1 to Barcelona.
Pellegrino: "I think my philosophy & the culture of the club will work well together. We have to be a team on & off the pitch" #SaintsFC
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) June 23, 2017
And while his name might remind Premier League football fans of other managers, it’s clear that Pellegrino is good enough to make a name for himself.
Southampton have proven again that they've one of the most professional thorough forward thinking selection process of managers in the world
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) June 23, 2017
Excited, Southampton fans?