Daily Echo:

Saints have appointed Mauricio Pellegrino as their new manager on a three-year contract.

The 45-year-old Argentinian takes over at St Mary’s ahead of the new season following the sacking of Claude Puel.

Pellegrino’s appointment ends a month of uncertainty since the end of the last campaign, in which Saints finished eighth and reached the EFL Cup final but later took the decision to dispense with Puel.

Pellegrino’s track record as a manager shows stints at Valencia in Spain, Estudiantes and Independiente in Argentina and, most recently, a season at Alaves, again in Spain.

He produced an admirable result for Alaves, guiding them to ninth in La Liga and the Copa Del Ray final, where they lost to Barcelona.

Saints shortlisted both Frank De Boer and Markus Weinzierl, but were most impressed by Pellegrino.

His philosophy and vision matched with that of Les Reed, who wants Saints to play attacking football, work within their means to progress and focus on the development of young players.

Reed said: “Mauricio believes with the quality we have we can play exciting, attacking football, taking the game to our opponents by playing a high-intensity game. He will continue to develop and introduce young players whilst building on the core of experience that we have in the squad.”

Read the full statement here > >

Pellegrino added: “I think my philosophy and the culture of the club will work well together. We have to be a team on and off the pitch; I want to make the supporters proud of the players and to feel part of the game every week. I want to win matches, be successful and develop a team spirit where everyone gives 100 per cent and supports each other.”

Pellegrino will arrive in Southampton to formally start work next week, and will meet his players for the first time on Thursday when they return for pre-season fitness testing.