Pellegrino Matarazzo, the New Jersey mathematician who has revitalised Real Sociedad | OneFootball

Pellegrino Matarazzo has swiftly steadied Real Sociedad after a turbulent rebuild.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, key departures, including Martín Zubimendi and Imanol Alguacil, left the side stripped. Sergio Francisco was promoted from the academy, but his message did not stick and signings Guedes, Caleta-Car, Soler and Yangel Herrera underwhelmed.

With 16 points from 16 games, just one above the drop, Real sacked Sergio Francisco and named former centre-back Ion Ansotegi as caretaker while they searched. Marco Rose was among the options, but they chose the little-known Matarazzo.

Standing 1.98m and American, he brought five Bundesliga seasons, only three completed, with respectable rather than striking returns. He also holds a Mathematics degree from Columbia University, which fed early scepticism.

Six weeks on, belief has replaced anxiety. The team are unbeaten in Liga and into the Copa del Rey semi-finals, starting on Wednesday in San Mamés, a two-legged Basque derby for a place in Seville against Barça or Atlético.

They sit nine points above relegation and one behind sixth-placed Espanyol after the pericos' early 2026 slump. Their league run is four wins and two draws, against Atlético at Anoeta and at Athletic in San Mamés, the latter marked by a controversial Brais Méndez red card.

Matarazzo has revived Caleta-Car, Turrientes and Sucic, Oyarzabal has five goals in 2026, Remiro looks secure again and Guedes is delivering. On Tuesday the coach said they are in a very good moment before a tie that also brings the chance to beat rivals Athletic.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo