Manager Profile

Argentinean Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as Southampton boss in January 2013 after leaving his first managerial role at Espanyol, a club he enjoyed great success with as a manager and player, in November 2012.

The former Argentina defender made more than 300 appearances for Espanyol before hanging up his boots in 2006, after winning his second Copa Del Rey title with the Barcelona-based side at the age of 34.

Pochettino first moved to Espanyol at the start of the 1994/95 season, having learnt his trade at Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. He joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2001 and also enjoyed a spell at Bordeaux before returning to Espanyol in 2004. He then stepped into the coaching system at the club after calling an end to his playing career in 2006.

Pochettino took over as manager of Espanyol in January 2009, with the club third from bottom in La Liga, and he guided them to a 10th place finish. His charges finished 11th the following season and narrowly missed out on a UEFA Europa League spot in the 2010/11 campaign, ending up in 8th position.

He left the club a few months into the 2012/13 campaign, after overseeing another mid-table finish for the financially-troubled side, and Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese gave him his first job in the Barclays Premier League in January. His debut season on the South Coast included impressive wins over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.