Balague confident new Saints man Mauricio Pelligrino will succeed

Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has given his backing to Southampton after they appointed Argentine Mauricio Pelligrino as their new manager.

Balague, an expert on Spanish football, said the decision to appoint a second Argentine, and second Mauricio, in their last three managers, could turn out to be a masterstroke by the south coast side.

Pellegrino has formerly managed at Valencia before going back to Argentina to take charge at first Estudiantes before moving Independiente.

He returned to Spain last season, though, keeping Alaves in La Liga and taking them to the Copa Del Rey final.

“Look at the situation that he had at Alaves when he arrived in the summer – 18 new players, he had to win and he had to make sure that Alaves didn’t go down,” Balague said.

(Photo by Daniel Smith/Getty Images for Soccerex)

“What they got from him was a guy with tactical versatility. He made the team play with three at the back, with four at the back – sometimes attacking with one, sometimes with two.

“He made every single player in that squad involved in proceedings. Everybody felt important and everybody got better.

“I get the impression he has spoken to Mauricio Pochettino. I’m pretty sure they’ve spoken about Southampton of course.”