Mauricio Pellegrino

Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino (born 5 October 1971 in Leones, Córdoba) is an Argentine retired footballer who played as a central defender, and the current coach of Valencia CF.

Playing career

Club career

Early years

Pellegrino played for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield during a large portion of the 90's, as the Buenos Aires-based lived its golden era, winning four league titles and the 1994 Intercontinental and Libertadores Cups.

In 1998–99, he had his first abroad experience, joining Louis van Gaal's FC Barcelona; he made his Spanish first division debut on September 12, in a 1–0 win against CF Extremadura, and would be fairly used during the campaign, which ended with league conquest.

Valencia

Pellegrino had his best years with another Spanish side, Valencia CF, partnering countryman Roberto Ayala in the heart of the back-four, while helping the Che to two league titles during his tenure, with the addition of the 2003–04 UEFA Cup.

His main dark spot occurred during the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League final, as he missed the decisive penalty shootout attempt against FC Bayern Munich (1–1 after 120 minutes) - he also played in the previous season's decisive match, which also ended in defeat, against Real Madrid (0–3). Overall though, in his six years at Valencia, he was a very important first-team member, and amassed nearly 200 official appearances for the club.

Liverpool / Retirement

In 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.^[1] 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.^[2]

After being released Pellegrino returned to Spain, having an unassuming stint with Deportivo Alavés (13 matches, first division relegation).

International career

Pellegrino gained three caps for Argentina, all during 1997. He was picked for the squad at that year's Copa América.

Coaching career

After retiring in June 2006, Pellegrino stayed connected with Valencia, coaching its Cadete-B (youth team). Two years later he decided to return to Liverpool, who still had Benítez in charge, as first-team coach,^[3] a position he remained in until the summer of 2010, as the pair moved to F.C. Internazionale Milano.

In December 2010, as Benítez was fired from his post, Pellegrino was also dismissed. On 7 May 2012, he was appointed at former team Valencia, signing for two years as a replacement for Unai Emery who left at the end of the season.^[4]

Honours

• Vélez:
  • Argentine League: Clausura 1993, 1996, 1998; Apertura 1995
  • Libertadores Cup: 1994
  • Intercontinental Cup: 1994
  • Interamerican Cup: 1995
  • South American Supercup: 1996
  • South American Winners' Cup: 1997

• Barcelona:
  • Spanish League: 1998–99

• Valencia:
  • Spanish League: 2001–02, 2003–04
  • Spanish Supercup: 1999
  • UEFA Cup: 2003–04
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2004
  • UEFA Champions League: Runner-up 1999–2000, 2000–01

References

External links

• Argentine League statistics (Spanish)
• BDFutbol profile
• Liverpool coach profile
• Liverpool historic profile
• Mauricio Pellegrino at National-Football-Teams.com
• Weltfussball profile (German)

v t e Argentina squad – 1997 Copa América 1 Bassedas 2 Berizzo 3 Berti 4 Calderón 5 Cardoso 6 Cardozo 7 Cruz 8 Delgado 9 Gallardo (c) 10 González 11 Husaín 12 López 13 Martínez 14 Monserrat 15 Ojeda 16 Pellegrino 17 Pineda 18 Posse 19 Roa 20 Rotchen 21 Vivas 22 Zapata Coach: Passarella