Gonzalo Castro on Pellegrino Matarazzo: Insights into the New Coach of Real Sociedad

Pellegrino Matarazzo has remained relatively unknown to fans of Real Sociedad until his appointment as the replacement for Sergio Francisco was revealed by Matteo Moretto in MARCA and Radio MARCA. To gain a deeper understanding of the coach to whom the club is entrusting their future in the Primera Division, we sought the insights of Gonzalo Castro, one of the finest players he has trained, who boasts 17 seasons in the Bundesliga.

**QUESTION**: Hello Gonzalo, thank you for speaking with MARCA. To begin with, what are your thoughts on Matarazzo’s appointment as Real’s new coach? Did it surprise you?

**ANSWER**: I will say that he called me a few days ago, just before signing the contract, but we couldn’t talk due to his travel to San Sebastián and my family commitments. Nonetheless, we have a very good relationship. When I played under him at Stuttgart, we didn’t know each other well, but I was aware he was Nagelsmann’s assistant. I found him to be an excellent coach and a genuinely nice person.

**QUESTION**: What can you tell us about the new coach of Real Sociedad?

**ANSWER**: First and foremost, I would describe him as a very intelligent coach. He employs an offensive playing style while also taking defensive strategies into account. What stands out about him is his attention to the finer details that often go overlooked; he values these aspects greatly. I learned a lot about attacking football from him because of this focus on details.

**QUESTION**: Much emphasis has been placed on his time as Nagelsmann’s assistant.

**ANSWER**: Indeed, he learned a great deal during his time as Nagelsmann’s assistant and from other coaches he has worked with. However, I believe he did a commendable job at both Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, despite his departures from those clubs.

**QUESTION**: Real Sociedad has played in a 4-3-3 formation for years, but rumors suggest Matarazzo might implement a more permanent 3-5-2 formation.

**ANSWER**: During our time together, he favored a 3-5-2 setup, sometimes shifting to a 3-4-3 with two wing-backs. He had the right players for that system, like Borna Sosa and strikers such as Kalajdzic and Nico González. However, I am uncertain if Real’s squad is suited for that formation. Importantly, he is not rigid in sticking to one system; he adapts based on the strengths of his players. If something isn’t working, he has no issue making changes. Additionally, he won’t have a pre-season, starting with a match against Atlético, leaving little time for adjustment.

**QUESTION**: Is he a strict coach or more methodical? He certainly has a commanding presence at nearly two meters tall.

**ANSWER**: I believe he manages teams exceptionally well because he is humble and doesn’t act superior as the head coach. In the year and a half I played under him, there weren’t many occasions for him to raise his voice, as we had a great group. However, he knows how to communicate effectively with players and is genuinely interested in their well-being.

**QUESTION**: What about the training sessions? What can you share?

**ANSWER**: I really enjoyed the training sessions; they were engaging. He focuses heavily on ball work, often incorporating tactics in a dynamic manner during practice. He provides substantial information that aids preparation for matches; he never conducts exercises just for the sake of it. As for languages, he speaks English, German, and Italian, and he was learning French. I’m sure that once he was aware of his appointment with Real Sociedad, he began learning Spanish as well, given his quick learning ability.

**QUESTION**: It seems we will have at least one new supporter of Real Sociedad in Germany now.

**ANSWER**: Indeed, I have been following Real closely because of Mikel Merino, a good friend of mine. I have seen them perform well in Europe and even in the Champions League, playing attractive football. However, the departure of key players like Mikel and Zubimendi has undoubtedly had an impact. Let’s see if Matarazzo and Toprak, one of his assistants who is also a friend of mine, can lead the team back to success. I will certainly be following Real more closely now.