Following the match against Girona, Francisco expressed his belief in his ability to turn the situation around. However, defender Igor Zubeldia stated that the responsibility lay with the players rather than the manager, admitting that the team had embarrassed themselves against Girona. La Real is currently just one point above the relegation zone and has the fourth-worst defensive record in La Liga.
Advertisement
Real Sociedad Set to Appoint Pellegrino Matarazzo
As reported by RadioMarca, Real Sociedad has opted to appoint Pellegrino Matarazzo as Francisco’s successor. Initially, there was speculation that former Juventus coach Thiago Motta might be the chosen one. Although he was a favored option alongside Francisco Garcia Pimienta and Luis Garcia Plaza, the club has now reached an agreement with Matarazzo.
Image via Getty Images / Marca
Matarazzo: A Protégé of Julian Nagelsmann
Pellegrino Matarazzo, a former player of Italian and American descent, spent his entire playing career in Germany, where he also developed as a coach—starting with Nurnberg’s B team. In 2017, he moved to Hoffenheim, where he served as an assistant manager first under Julian Nagelsmann and then Alfred Schreuder for three seasons.
Advertisement
Matarazzo is known for his coaching style that mirrors Nagelsmann’s, characterized by an aggressive pressing game and tactical flexibility. He managed Stuttgart from 2019 to 2022, successfully guiding them from the 2. Bundesliga to a stable position in the top division. He later took over a midtable Hoffenheim side and led them to qualify for European competition in his second season, finishing seventh.