Matarazzo's Rescue Mission: 'I've Done This Before and Know What to Do'
New Real Sociedad boss Pellegrino Matarazzo brings confidence from his Hoffenheim turnaround, promising attacking football and European ambitions for La Real.
Matarazzo’s Rescue Mission: ‘I’ve Done This Before and Know What to Do’
The Italian-American manager arrives in San Sebastián with a clear blueprint to haul Real Sociedad away from the relegation scrap and back toward European football.
The New Gaffer in Town
Pellegrino Matarazzo has landed at Anoeta with a proper dose of confidence, insisting La Real have far more quality than their current league position suggests. The former Hoffenheim and Stuttgart boss was officially unveiled yesterday, and he’s not mincing his words about the task ahead.
Speaking in Spanish at his unveiling, Matarazzo expressed his honor at joining the Txuri-urdin, citing an immediate connection with the club’s values and identity. But pleasantries aside, the new boss is already focused on turning things around.
The Matarazzo Method
For those wondering what style of football to expect, Matarazzo made it crystal clear:
- Attack-minded but not possession-obsessed
- Focus on creating genuine scoring chances
- High pressing when possible
- Tactical flexibility depending on opposition
“I like having clear principles and identity, but I also like being flexible,” he explained, suggesting he won’t be a one-trick pony with his tactics.
When asked about his reputation for favoring a 5-3-2 formation, the gaffer was quick to correct the assumption, pointing out he’s used four-at-the-back systems previously at Stuttgart. “We should stop thinking about structure - what we need to change is behavior on the pitch,” he added.
Been There, Done That
What’s most interesting about Matarazzo’s appointment is his previous experience in similar situations. He’s been down this road before, and that might be exactly what Real Sociedad need right now.
“This team isn’t used to being in this position, but I was at Hoffenheim, where they weren’t used to it either,” Matarazzo pointed out. The parallel is striking - he took over Hoffenheim when they were struggling, guided them to 11th place, and then qualified for the Europa League the following season.
Mental Game
The new boss acknowledges the psychological aspect will be crucial. For a club accustomed to competing in Europe in recent years, finding themselves in a relegation battle represents uncharted waters.
“When you talk about football, you also talk about the mental side,” Matarazzo noted. “We need to start by showing our strengths to gain confidence.”
The Roadmap
Matarazzo outlined three clear objectives for his tenure:
- Improve performances to win matches immediately
- Stay true to the club’s philosophy by developing young players
- Return to European competition
The manager closed his presentation with a message in Spanish, ending with “Eskerrik asko, aúpa Real” - a nice touch that’ll go down well with the locals.
For a club with Real Sociedad’s quality, their current position is a proper mare. But in Matarazzo, they may have found the right gaffer to get them back where they belong. As they say in North London, it’s time to get their skates on.