Matarazzo gets the classic slap treatment after winning LaLiga's Manager of the Month

Real Sociedad boss Pellegrino Matarazzo got more than he bargained for at training today after being named LaLiga’s Manager of the Month for January.

Slap happy in San Sebastián

The American-Italian gaffer was greeted with the traditional Spanish footballing ritual that’s about as welcome as a pint of vinegar when you’re gasping for a beer. His Real Sociedad players formed the infamous ‘pasillo de collejas’ - that time-honoured tunnel of celebratory slaps to the back of the head that’s become something of a tradition in Spanish football dressing rooms.

Matarazzo, showing he’s not just tactically astute but also a proper sport, took the playful punishment in his stride. The boss even made sure his coaching staff got in on the action, sharing the ‘reward’ with his backroom team at Zubieta training ground.

January joy

The recognition comes after an impressive January for La Real, with Matarazzo continuing to build on the solid foundations left by Imanol Alguacil. Since taking over the Basque outfit, the former Stuttgart manager has been quietly impressive, maintaining the club’s reputation for playing attractive football while keeping them competitive across all fronts.

The award clearly demonstrates that LaLiga has been paying attention to the work being done up in San Sebastián, even if it did come with a few clips round the earhole for the gaffer!

Cultural immersion

This light-hearted moment shows Matarazzo is fully embracing Spanish football culture. These traditions might seem a bit peculiar to outsiders, but they’re part and parcel of the dressing room camaraderie that makes Spanish football what it is.

For a manager who arrived from Germany with a reputation for tactical discipline, it’s good to see he’s adapting to the more expressive elements of LaLiga life too - even if that means taking a few slaps to the bonce along the way.