Southampton’s newly appointed manager Mauricio Pellegrino has praised Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez and said that working with him was like “being with a master for two years”.
The pair have worked together on numerous occasions, after Pellegrino served as Benitez’ assistant coach at both Liverpool and Inter Milan, as well as playing under the Toon boss at the Merseyside club and Valencia.
After the duo parted ways in 2012, the Argentinian moved up from his coaching duties and pursued a managerial career where he led his former club Valencia in addition to Estudiantes and Alaves, before being appointed as Southampton’s new boss.
The 45-year-old told The Sun during an interview that working for the Magpies manager was demanding: “For me, it was like being with a master for two years and I learned a lot.
“Rafa was really demanding and, if you want to be the best, you have to be.
“For example, with the physical training, the goalkeeping training, I had to draw up the plans for the week. It had to be on his desk by 8am Monday without fail.”
The Saints boss formerly played under Benitez during his time at Valencia and spoke about the Spaniard’s techniques which he will be able to use at Southampton.
Pellegrino told The Sun: “He was brilliant at using psychological methods to maximise the potential of a player.
“That is the most important thing I learned from Rafa.”
Pellegrino and Benitez will meet again when their clubs clash during the 2017/18 Premier League season.
Southampton finished in an impressive eighth place during the last campaign, while Newcastle shot to the top of the Championship meaning automatic promotion to top-flight football.