Mauricio Pellegrino’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna (born 5 October 1971) is an Argentine retired footballer who played as a central defender, and the current coach of Spanish club Deportivo Alavés.
After playing 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 five major titles (he conquered nine in his spell in his country). He also had a six-month stint with Liverpool.
Pellegrino appeared with Argentina at the 1997 Copa América. After retiring, he embarked in a managerial career.

Playing career

Club

Early years

Born in Leones, Córdoba, Pellegrino played for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield during a large portion of the 90’s, as the Buenos Aires-based club lived its golden era, winning four leagues and the 1994 Intercontinental and Libertadores Cups.

He had his first abroad experience in 1998–99, joining Louis van Gaal’s FC Barcelona on loan. He made his La Liga debut on 12 September 1998 in a 1–0 home 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 them to two league titles during his tenure, with the addition of the 2003–04 edition of the UEFA Cup.

His main dark spot occurred during the 2000–01 final of the UEFA Champions League as he missed the last 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 the Mestalla Stadium, he was a very important defensive unit, and amassed 213 official appearances for the Che.

Liverpool / 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.

After being released, Pellegrino returned to Spain, having an unassuming stint with Deportivo Alavés (less than half of the matches played, first division relegation).

International

Pellegrino gained three caps for Argentina, all during 1997. He was picked for the squad at that year’s Copa América and made his debut precisely in the continental tournament, against Ecuador in the group stage.

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, a position in which he remained until the summer of 2010 as the pair moved to Inter Milan.

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

On 1 December 2012, following a 2–5 home loss against Real Sociedad which left the side in 12th place, Pellegrino was relieved of his duties. He subsequently returned to his country, signing with Estudiantes de La Plata.

On 14 April 2015, Pellegrino was sacked by president Juan Sebastián Verón. In June, he was appointed at fellow league club Club Atlético Independiente.

Pellegrino returned to Alavés on 26 June 2016, being named José Bordalás’s successor as the team had just promoted to the top flight.

Managerial statistics

As of 18 January 2017