Pellegrino Matarazzo celebrates with Caleta-Car after winning the Copa del Rey title | RFEF
The 2026 Copa del Rey has found its owner: Real Sociedad, a team that experienced a season of two halves. Until December, the foundations of Anoeta were shaking. Since then, an explosion of joy has restored the grandeur to the San Sebastián side.
After Imanol Alguacil’s departure, the txuri-urdin board turned to another homegrown figure, Sergio Francisco. His tenure lasted 18 matches—16 in La Liga and two in the Copa del Rey. The team wobbled, showed signs of exhaustion, and found itself closer to the relegation zone than European spots after winning only four games, drawing four, and losing eight—the last three in a row (against Villarreal, Alavés, and Girona). The board decided a change was needed.
Following a transitional period with Ansotegi, the chosen navigator to steer the white-and-blue ship was a little-known coach in Spain—an Italian-sounding name with American nationality: Pellegrino Matarazzo (48). He had a modest playing career in Germany but made a name for himself managing Stuttgart and Hoffenheim. Even the most optimistic could not have imagined where Real Sociedad would be now: seventh in the league and already holding a Copa del Rey trophy.
The numbers tell a clear story. Under Matarazzo in La Liga, Real Sociedad have won seven of 14 matches, losing only three and drawing four. His win percentage sits at 50%, double that of Sergio Francisco. His points-per-game average is 1.8, compared to 1.0 under his predecessor. The team has also shown more attacking bite: 28 goals, averaging two per match, versus 20 goals at 1.25 per match in the first half of the season.
But the crowning achievement is the Copa del Rey. After two early rounds against amateur opponents, Matarazzo took charge from the round of 16. He made his debut on January 13 against Osasuna, trailing 0-2 at halftime but clawing back to 2-2, with Zubeldia forcing extra time in the 90+2 minute—victory came on penalties. In the quarterfinals, the team eliminated Alavés with a 2-3 win, thanks to Oskarsson’s strike 10 minutes from time. In the two-legged semifinals, they knocked out eternal rivals Athletic Bilbao, winning 0-1 at San Mamés and 1-0 at home. Then, in the final, after a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time, penalties again granted Matarazzo the honor of becoming a legend on the Gipuzkoa bench.
In just 19 matches in charge, Pellegrino Matarazzo has transformed the face and fortunes of Real Sociedad. Next season, the club will once again parade through the Europa League, trophy in hand. More could not have been achieved in less time.
