Southampton have announced they have appointed former Alaves manager Mauricio Pellegrino as Claude Puel’s successor.
The Premier League outfit have been looking for a new manager since making the decision to sack Puel at the end of last week.
Former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel was considered but Southampton have handed the full-time job to Pellegrino on a three-year deal.
Pellegrino was Alaves manager last season before resigning at the end of the season and he returns to work in England for the first time since spending the last two years of Rafa Benitez’s time at Liverpool as his assistant.
“I am really happy to become the new coach of Southampton Football Club. The club has a great reputation for having a strong and stable structure, competing in the Premier League and playing attractive football,” Pellegrino said in a press release from the club.
“I think my philosophy and the culture of the club will work well together. We have to be a team on and off the pitch; I want to make the supporters proud of the players and to feel part of the game every week. I want to win matches, be successful and develop a team spirit where everyone gives 100 per cent and supports each other.
“I am excited and passionate about what the future holds for us and look forward to meeting the players and beginning our preparation for the new season.”
Mauricio Pellegrino: Pellegrino's Alaves side committed the fewest errors that led to a shot (3) in La Liga last season pic.twitter.com/R1wpTxYxQR
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 23, 2017
No team committed fewer errors that led to a shot on goal in La Liga last season than Alaves (3).
