"There is great potential, I’m here to work and get the best out of the team"

Pellegrino Matarazzo has completed his first day at Real Sociedad. This afternoon, the new head coach was officially unveiled to the media and shared his happiness.

“Being here is a great honour. I felt a connection with Real Sociedad from the start. It’s a special club with a strong identity and a clear belief in developing young players. I arrive with great respect and enthusiasm for the project ahead. There is a lot of potential in this team,” Matarazzo explained. Regarding the squad he will be working with, the new coach said he knows the team “very well” and recognizes “the potential of the squad.” “This team can perform better. I want to get to know everyone and work closely with all of them,” added Rino.

Matarazzo confirmed that he will be joined by two assistants, John Maisano and Ömer Toprak, and revealed that he and his staff will start working together on December 27, two days before beginning sessions with the players.

Club president Jokin Aperribay welcomed the new head coach and wished him luck. He also emphasized that “from the very beginning, the connection has been strong. We share the same vision for football and life. We want to be ambitious with the current performance, improve individually and collectively, and the players are ready to turn things around. We will make it happen.”

Football director Erik Bretos also spoke about Matarazzo’s appointment, noting that contact was first made in October, “when we were not yet considering a coaching change. We wanted someone who complements our approach, focuses on player development—especially with young talent—and can come in from the outside to make us stronger,” concluded the Real Sociedad football director.