Pellegrino back to Valencia CF

VALENCIA - The Associated Press

Valencia is guaranteed to finish La Liga in the third spot behind Real Madrid and Barcelona for the third straight year. REUTERS photo

Argentina’s Mauricio Pellegrino will replace Unai Emery as coach of Valencia after the former player agreed to a two-year deal with the Spanish club.

Under Emery, Valencia clinched third place in the Spanish league for the third straight season but the Basque coach was under pressure after the Spanish club lost to rival Atletico Madrid for a place in the Europa League final.

Pellegrino was a Valencia player when the club won a UEFA Cup-league double in 2004. The Argentine also worked as an assistant to Rafa Benitez at Liverpool and Inter.