Pellegrino Matarazzo Makes History: First American Coach to Win Major European Title with Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad has triumphed over Atlético de Madrid in a thrilling Copa del Rey final, decided by a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in Seville. The Basque club took an early lead in the 13th second with a header from Ander Barrenetxea, catching the Atleti defense off guard. Atlético de Madrid managed to equalize, with Julián Álvarez scoring a spectacular goal in the 83rd minute. However, Álvarez later missed his penalty in the decisive shootout.
This victory marks an exceptional accomplishment for Real Sociedad, a team that was close to the relegation zone at the end of 2025. The arrival of coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, who replaced Sergio Francisco, dramatically turned the team's fortunes around. The American manager has led the team to an undefeated home record in 2026 and suffered only three away defeats, propelling them to seventh place in LaLiga.
With this Copa del Rey win, their fourth in the club's history and five years after the 2019/20 final, Matarazzo has etched his name in the record books. He is now the first manager born in the United States to win a major trophy (though not a league title) in one of Europe's top five leagues (Spain, Germany, England, France, Italy). This achievement distinguishes him from Jesse Marsch, who remains the only American to win a league title, having secured the Austrian Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg in 2020 and 2021.
Matarazzo, the son of Italian immigrants, spent his entire playing career in Germany in lower-tier clubs before transitioning into management. He has previously managed in the Bundesliga for VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim.
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