Pellegrino appointed first team coach

[CarraLegend]

Mauricio Pellegrino is set to return to the club as first-team coach, Rafa Benitez today confirmed.

The Argentinean, who played 12 games for the Reds under Benitez in 2005, will become the second high-profile addition to the backroom team following the arrival of Sammy Lee earlier in the summer.

 

Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv the veteran centre-back had much to offer.

 

"His role will be first-team coach, and he'll also carry out specialist training sessions," said the boss.

 

"He can also work specifically with the defence, and also the reserves.

 

"Pellegrino has a winning mentality. He won the Intercontinental Cup before going to Spain with Barcelona and Valencia.

 

"He has a lot of passion. When I asked him to come he was very pleased, but first he wanted to find out if there was a school where his three children could play good football. He is a football man."

 

Pellegrino, 36, is currently completing the last of his three UEFA coaching badges.

 

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080630-1103.htm

Edited June 30, 2008 by CarraLegend

[Montse]

Nice one, he'd be a good addition to the backroom team

[Guest Prongsy]

I think our defensive unit can learn a lot from him. He knows defensive systems inside out and obviously knows the way Rafa works.

 

Seems to be a great addition.

[trowie]

To sort out the 16 goals conceded from set pieces.

 

Why is Pelle worried about finding a school that teaches good football? Can't he just bring them to Melwood everyday

[Guest Raisbeck]

Being mates with Rafa was the best thing to ever happen to Pellegrino!

[Dmitch]

im not going to say anything because if i do and we start leaking goals next season someone will remember and i will get the blame....

[RP]

As the saying goes "it's not what you know..."

[Knox_Harrington]

im not going to say anything because if i do and we start leaking goals next season someone will remember and i will get the blame....

Are you Daniel Agger?

[kop205]

On the surface think this is just what we need.

 

If I remember correctly he was massively popular with the other players when he was here and might just have that bit of closeness/personal touch that Rafa probably lacks (a bit like Bergues had when he was here with Houllier)

[Guest Linton]

Return of the long sausage...

[BDB]

From my Istanbul Photos. I think he's part android..

 

[Earl Hafler]

I'm dubious about this. Hope i'm wrong.

[Maldini]

I'm dubious about this. Hope i'm wrong.

 

What possible reason do you have to be dubious?

[Earl Hafler]

What possible reason do you have to be dubious?

 

Inexperienced.

[Falconhoof]

Inexperienced.

 

I can understand that. But when you think of how much experience Rafa and Sammy Lee have its probably not going to be something lacking.

I think someone earlier in the thread may have been onto something when they remembered how well liked he was by the players. Its that link between the distant focussed tactician Rafa and his players. Its good to have a mix of coaches, its like a family with different generations.

[Earl Hafler]

I can understand that. But when you think of how much experience Rafa and Sammy Lee have its probably not going to be something lacking.

I think someone earlier in the thread may have been onto something when they remembered how well liked he was by the players. Its that link between the distant focussed tactician Rafa and his players. Its good to have a mix of coaches, its like a family with different generations.

 

True but i was looking for someone more experienced - hence the dubiousnessness

[Maldini]

Inexperienced.

 

He's been coaching as long as some Premiership managers. Rafa knows him well, knows what he's all about and apparently he used to do a bit of coaching with us when he was here. I don't see why he'd need experience if he understands football and Rafa clearly thinks he does.

[MFletcher]

Rafa clearly rates Pellegrino as a football man, and he's a hugely experienced defender who used to implement Rafa's systems to perfection on the pitch.

 

I think he's an ideal appointment.

[Alonso]

Rafa clearly rates Pellegrino as a football man, and he's a hugely experienced defender who used to implement Rafa's systems to perfection on the pitch.

 

I think he's an ideal appointment.

I think Rafa said something about everyone talking about Ayala but Rafa said that Pellegrino was actually the general and organiser of the defence when Pellegrino first joined.

[Extraordinary Swindle]

I'm dubious about this. Hope i'm wrong.

What's dubious. Hyypia said in an interview a few years back that Pellegrino was like a translator for Benitez in terms of conveying to the defenders what Benitez wanted them to do. He made a comment about how frustrating it was for both the manager and the players because Benitez wasn't getting his ideas about the system of defense across to them correctly before Pellegrino was signed. Signing Pellegrino as defensive coach will allow Rafa to concentrate on getting the forward play sorted out.

[yuriska]

Meanwhile our old 1st team coach Alex Miller seems to be doing well in Japan:

 

The Scot arrived in Chiba in May to succeed Josip Kuze who was fired after recording no wins in the first 11 games of the season.

 

Under Miller, the club has been unbeaten in six league and cup games.

 

There is still a long way to go for the bottom club but there is now hope that JEF can avoid the dreaded drop into J2.

 

A point at high-flying FC Tokyo at the weekend was welcome as was the pre-match song of “You’ll never walk alone.”

 

"I thought I was back at Anfield," Miller told reporters. "I was hoping the team in yellow had Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. But unfortunately, no.

 

"We started very well. We had an opportunity with the penalty but the goalkeeper had a good save. But after that I think our ball possession was poor. We allowed Tokyo to dictate the game up until halftime.

 

"I was proud of the players because they have to realize when they come to Tokyo, they have to believe in themselves. They've got to believe in themselves when they play the big teams that they're good enough."

 

Link

Edited July 1, 2008 by yuriska