Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna (born 5 October 1971) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a centre-back, currently a manager. 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 Vélez Sarsfield 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

Club

Vélez and Barcelona

Born in Leones, Córdoba, Pellegrino played for Velez Sarsfield during a large portion 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 2000–01 final of the UEFA Champions League as he missed the last penalty shootout attempt against Bayern Munich (1–1 after 120 minutes) – he also played 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 been frozen out by Claudio Ranieri, Pellegrino joined former Valencia boss Rafael Benítez at Liverpool on a free transfer, signing a six-month contract – 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, and did not feature in the victory over AC Milan in the final of the competition. Afterwards, Pellegrino returned to Spain, having an unassuming stint with Alavés (fewer than half of the matches played, top-division relegation).

International

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.

Coaching career

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 relegation after winning one of their last 17 matches. Pellegrino returned to the Spanish top tier on 2 June 2018, signing a one-year deal with Leganés. In his first season, he led the club to a best-ever 13th place with record points, subsequently earning an extension until 2021. In October 2019, as the side was last in the standings, he left by mutual consent.

Vélez Sarsfield

On 16 April 2020, Pellegrino replaced Gabriel Heinze at the helm of Vélez Sarsfield and agreed to a contract until June 2021. At its conclusion, it was extended for another twelve months. Pellegrino's side reached the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana in his first year, being eliminated 4–0 on aggregate by compatriots Lanús. Domestically, they were runners-up to River Plate in the 2021 season; holding a 56% winning percentage over his entire spell, he resigned on 23 March 2022 after a poor start to the Copa de la Liga Profesional.

Universidad de Chile

On 29 November 2022, Pellegrino was appointed as manager of Club Universidad de Chile for the upcoming season. He left after finishing ninth, two points off qualification for continental tournaments.

Cádiz

On 24 January 2024, Pellegrino returned to Spain and its top tier, signing for Cádiz. On 28 May, not having been able to avoid relegation as third-bottom, he left.

Personal life

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

Managerial statistics

Honours

Player

Vélez Sarsfield Barcelona Valencia Liverpool

Manager

Alavés