Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna (; born 5 October 1971) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a centre-back, currently the manager of Chilean club Universidad de Chile. After nearly one decade with Vélez Sarsfield, Pellegrino spent the vast majority of his remaining career in Spain, amassing La Liga totals of 176 games and five goals over the course of eight seasons for three clubs, notably Valencia with which he won three titles (he won nine while in Argentina). He also had a six-month stint with Liverpool, and appeared with Argentina at the 1997 Copa América. Pellegrino embarked on a managerial career after retiring, notably working two years with Estudiantes and leading Alavés to the 2017 Copa del Rey Final. For eight months, he was in charge of Southampton in the Premier League. Playing career Club Vélez and Barcelona Born in Leones, Córdoba, Pellegrino played for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield during a large portion of the 1990s, as the Buenos Aires-based club experienced its golden age, winning four Primeira División championships and the 1994 Intercontinental and Libertadores Cups. He received the nickname El Flaco ("The Lanky One") for his physique. He had his first experience abroad in 1998–99, joining Louis van Gaal's FC Barcelona on loan. He made his La Liga debut on 12 September 1998 in a 1–0 home win against CF Extremadura, and would be used regularly during the campaign, which ended with league conquest. Valencia Pellegrino had his best years with another Spanish side, Valencia CF, partnering countryman Roberto Ayala in the heart of the back-four while helping them to two league titles during his tenure, with the addition of the 2003–04 edition of the UEFA Cup. Arguably his worst moment occurred during the 2000–01 final of the UEFA Champions League as he missed the last penalty shootout attempt against FC Bayern Munich (1–1 after 120 minutes)– he also played in the previous season's decisive match, which also ended in defeat, to Real Madrid (0–3). Overall though, in his six years at the Mestalla Stadium, he was a very important defensive unit, and amassed 213 official appearances for the Che. Liverpool and retirement In early January 2005, after having been frozen out by Claudio Ranieri, Pellegrino joined former Valencia boss Rafael Benítez at Liverpool on a free transfer, signing a six-month contract– this move made him the first Argentine player in the history of the club.