Former Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has insisted he ‘knows what’s at stake’ after being formally presented as the new coach of Vélez Sarsfield.
The Argentine coach has joined the Superliga side on a one-year deal after leaving Leganés in October last year.
It is a return home for the 48-year-old, who began his career with Vélez and spent eight years there before joining Barcelona on loan in 1998 and then Valencia in a permanent deal the following year.
He has spent the intervening years playing and managing in Europe, including spells at Valencia, Alavés and Southampton.
Given his association with the club, he knows what is expected of him and has insisted that he wants fans to feel there is an identity at the club.
“We know what is at stake,” I Am Noticias report him saying.
“I know the risk I take, but I also enjoy what I do and hope to do my best.
“In football, you can win, draw or lose; in our profession, we aim to win, if not I at least try to make people feel identified.
“I don’t want to deviate from the values I learned in Velez, and my aim is to make the fans proud of the team that represents them.”
That part about an identity will certainly be of interest to Southampton fans, who will be wondering just what sort of identity Pellegrino was trying to instil at their club.
The Argentine manager’s spell at Saint Mary’s was nothing short of disastrous, with him managing just 37 points and eight wins in his 34 games in charge.
Worse, though, was the complete lack of identity the club had during his time in charge, with many still confused to what his actual plan was.
Vélez will be hoping he’s got it nailed down or his stint at their club may be as short as it was at Leganés and Southampton.
