Rino Matarazzo: The New Jerseyan ‘with a clever touch’ on his 25 years in German soccer

“The great unknown with a clever touch,” is how the Stuttgarter Zeitung headline in June 2020 described Pellegrino “Rino” Matarazzo.

VfB Stuttgart had named the New Jerseyan its head coach in the middle of the 2019-20 season to lead it back to the first division. Matarazzo succeeded and thus became the first American-raised head coach of a Bundesliga club when VfB kicked off the 2020-21 season.

By the time VfB hired Matarazzo, the Columbia University graduate (with a degree in applied mathematics) had lived in Germany for two decades — the first 10 years as a lower division player and the next 10 coaching. 

The coaching began while he wrapped up his playing career with the reserve team of FC Nürnberg, which supported his coaching education. That included a 10-month German federation (DFB) course in Hennef. His roommate was Julian Nagelsmann, currently the head coach of the German national team.

In an account of how the friendship developed in a 2023 Forum: Das Wochenmagazin article headlined “Julian’s Big Brother,” Nagelsmann said: 

“We had a lot of fun, but also analytical moments during that time. I have immense respect for him. He’s a coach with great empathy, deep expertise and outstanding creativity. He’s a mathematician, and that’s how he approaches matches. He always prepares something unique.”

While coaching school roommates, Matarazzo and Nagelsmann were U-19 coaches at FC Nürnberg and TSG Hoffenheim, respectively.

Nagelsmann moved up to first team coach in 2016 — becoming at age 29 the youngest Bundesliga coach in history. Matarazzo joined Hoffenheim as U-17 coach in 2017. He then became Nagelsmann’s assistant coach, and was assistant coach to Alfred Schreuder when Nagelsmann left for RB Leipzig.

Following his 100-game tenure with VfB Stuttgart, Matarazzo was hired as head coach by relegation-threatened TSG Hoffenheim in February 2023 with 15 games left in the season and steered it to safety with a 12th-place finish. 

In Matarazzo’s second season, Hoffenheim finished in 7th place — marking its best Bundesliga finish in four years and earning Europa League qualification while outperforming clubs with larger payrolls and higher spending on player acquisitions.

But during the 2024-25 preseason, Hoffenheim experienced what Kicker Magazine called a “front-office earthquake.” Longtime managing director, the popular Alexander Rosen, who had hired Matarazzo, and four other front-office leaders were fired. One German journalist described the club as “doomed by constant power struggles.” Matarazzo was let go in early November with the team in 15th place. (Currently, Hoffenheim is in 15th place with three games left.)

It was amid that preseason last August when news broke that U.S. Soccer was interviewing Matarazzo for its men’s national team head coach position, which would ultimately go to Mauricio Pochettino.

SOCCER AMERICA: What is your current situation? Plans for the future?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: At the moment, I am truly enjoying life and the time between gigs. It’s a valuable opportunity to reflect, reconnect with family and friends, travel, and focus on personal development.

My plans are simple. Take the next step forward and continue to grow. Direction is more important than magnitude. I have a clear vision and ambitious goals for my career as a head coach, but I am focused on finding the right environment, the right people and working with quality. The rest will fall into place as it should.

SA: For an American, you had a unique playing and coaching career in Germany, but it was coaching VfB Stuttgart to promotion that your story really came to light. What was that feat like for you?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: Many top clubs in the second Bundesliga, even big names like Hamburg SV and Schalke 04, can attest to the fact that promotion to the first Bundesliga is no easy feat — it’s never a given. Securing promotion with VfB Stuttgart in my first stint as a head coach was a special way to start my career.

SA: In your second season with VfB, now in Bundesliga, you finished in ninth place and your team was praised for its attractive, courageous approach. In your second Bundesliga season …

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: That season truly left a mark. It was a year full of extraordinary challenges, even on a personal level. It culminated in a last-minute win against Cologne to avoid relegation. The stadium erupted like never before, and the energy we all felt in that one indescribable moment was unique — truly special. I am sure it will continue to echo in the hearts of all VfB fans who were there that day. It certainly does with me.

SA: Then you took over at Hoffenheim, which was struggling to replicate the consistency of the Nagelsmann years … 

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: Qualifying for the Europa League with TSG Hoffenheim, after saving the team from relegation the previous season, is an achievement I can look back on with a sense of pride and gratitude. The fans, the team, the staff — we were all connected. It’s unfortunate how things ended. It felt like an unfinished work, but I have thankfully made my peace with it. I carry the experience with me as motivation for what’s to come.

An achievement I take pride in is my ability to develop talent and integrate young players into the first team. I’ve worked closely with youth academies and helped raise the market value of squads through player development and performance. 

Maximilian Beier’s move to Dortmund and Tom Bischof’s transfer to Bayern Munich are just two of the most recent examples. 

At the same time, I’ve built strong relationships with older, more experienced players like Mario Gómez, Gonzalo Castro, Andrej Kramarić and Oliver Baumann. Finding the right balance between developing potential and managing established leadership has been a key part of my coaching journey.

Matarazzo Coaching Timeline
TSG Hoffenheim (head coach: 2023-24): 59 Bundesliga, 4 DFB Pokal, 4 Europa League games.
VfB Stuttgart (head coach: 2020-2022): 77 Bundesliga, 16 Bundesliga II, 7 DFB Pokal games.
TSG Hoffenheim (assistant coach: 2018-19): 78 Bundesliga games.
TSG Hoffenheim (U-17 head coach: 2017-18).
FC Nürnberg (U-17 & U-19 head coach: 2013-17)
FC Nürnberg II (assistant coach: 2010-12; interim head coach: 2011).

SA: Your rise to coaching in the Bundesliga started with coaching at the youth level, at FC Nürnberg and Hoffenheim, which seems to be a common route for this generation of German coaches. The 2024 Copa America and 2024 Euro titles were won by coaches, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni and Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, who rose into their position through their national teams’ youth programs. How does youth program coaching experience help lead coaches to succeed at the highest levels?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: Coaching at the youth level offers a real opportunity to focus on the essence of the game, without the distractions from the press, fans, sponsors or owners. There’s less immediate pressure, and more room for mistakes — which allows coaches to make bold decisions based purely on conviction, without fear. That freedom is crucial for the learning process.

Of course, the transition to the professional game must eventually be mastered — but ideally with a strong sense of certainty in one’s own style of football, in how to communicate it clearly to the players, and with the experience of building a cohesive unit.

SA: How did your New Jersey soccer experiences help prepare you for your journey in the European game?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: Growing up in the U.S. in the ’80s and ’90s, soccer wasn’t a mainstream sport. But in New Jersey, we were lucky to have small, tight-knit communities filled with people who were deeply passionate about the game.

Mentors like Kazbek Tambi dedicated their lives to it — doing it for reasons of passion, not recognition. While most of the country wasn’t paying much attention, we were out in the backyard every day, dreaming and pretending to be guys like Tab Ramos and Tony Meola — not just because they were national team heroes, but because they made it, and they were from Jersey. That made the dream feel very real and attainable. 

That backyard spirit that grew in Paterson and Fair Lawn has stayed with me throughout my journey.

SA: Did your college experience contribute to your coaching success?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: My four years at Columbia were incredibly formative. The combination of being in New York City and attending one of the world’s top universities was an extraordinary experience. It gave me a broader perspective on the world and challenged me in ways that shaped who I am today.

I studied applied mathematics, which certainly developed my analytical thinking and problem-solving skills — both of which are valuable tools not only in coaching, but in many aspects of life.

But beyond the academics, playing soccer at Columbia with a great group of guys created lasting memories and friendships that remain to this day. I’m very grateful for that time.

SA: What was it like playing in the German lower divisions for nearly a decade? I assume you enjoyed it. Could you make a decent living?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: I enjoyed playing, even though financially I wasn’t going anywhere (laughs). Of course, there are transfers throughout all leagues, so I was fortunate to play alongside experienced professional players, as well as some who were on the rise. The third division in Germany at that time was very competitive.

• Note: Matarazzo played for SV Wehen, Preußen Münster, Wattenscheid 09 and FC Nürnberg.

SA: You’ve lived in many German cities including Nuremberg, Stuttgart and Hoffenheim — are there things you particularly enjoy about Germany?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: Germany quickly became much more than just a place to play football. This coming June marks 25 years of living and working here. Wow — when I say that out loud, it freaks me out a little, but at the same time, it’s evidence of how fond I’ve grown of the country.

I met my wife in Wiesbaden, and my son was born in Nuremberg. Generally speaking, German people are hardworking, disciplined, honest and direct. There is a lot to admire and learn from the culture here, and it has definitely shaped me over the years.

SA: Are there things you miss about the USA? You’ve had a uniquely long career for an American in Europe and arrived as a young player. Did you have to combat homesickness?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: The first several years were definitely the toughest, especially during the holidays like Thanksgiving or Easter. Those were often sad times rather than festive ones. I stretched the offseason as far as I could in order to be home for as long as possible — always looking for that one more day at home. 

Coming back to the States reconnects me not only to my family and friends, but also to an American way of life. Compared to other cultures, we tend to be open, friendly, ambitious and optimistic. We reach for the stars and believe that anything is possible. That mindset has never left me, even after all these years abroad.

SA: Did being Italian-American and having an Italian name have an influence on Germans’ perception of you as a player and/or coach in Germany? Did people assume you were Italian?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: At that time, soccer in the U.S. was much less respected than it is today. People knew I was born and raised in the States — partly because of how I carried myself, and also because I never tried to hide it. In some ways, it made things harder. There was always a little extra doubt to overcome. It became important for me to be better than the next guy in order to earn respect.

SA: Mark Twain said, “A gifted person ought to learn English (barring spelling and pronouncing) in thirty hours, French in thirty days, and German in thirty years.” How long did it take you to become fluent in German? How did you learn?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: I can understand why he said that (laughs). I’d say I spoke relatively well after six months, but my German improved exponentially once I met my future wife. I was genuinely interested and committed — and that’s key to learning any language. 

Maybe Mark Twain just didn’t find a German girlfriend like I did. And if he was right about needing 30 years, I guess I still have five more to go.

SA: I’ve watched videos of your interviews in German and don’t detect an accent. When you speak with people who don’t know your background, do they assume you’re German?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: People often have a hard time figuring out where I’m from. I don’t have the typical American accent when speaking German — possibly because I’m also fluent in Italian. But after 25 years of living here, I supposedly have a German accent when I speak English — at least according to my aunt, who complains about it all the time (laughs).”

SA: Can you share something about your personal life?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: I already mentioned my wife. She’s German-American, born and raised in Germany. She has a strong connection to nature and a fine eye for beauty.

Our son is now 15 and finishing up the 10th grade of high school. He is a very funny, smart and empathetic kid, and he continues to grow into someone I’m very proud of.

We recently traveled as a family to Japan for two weeks during his Easter break, which was an amazing experience. The culture, the food, the respect for tradition — it left a real impression on us. It also brought us even closer together, which is something that means a lot to me, especially during this time between jobs, when I can be more present. I grew up with and continue to have very strong family values. My family is the most important thing in my life — it’s definitely where I find the strength and composure to handle the responsibility and intense pressures of my job.

SA: How is coaching in Germany perhaps conducive to moving abroad to coach and having success?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: In my opinion, two key factors for success abroad are adaptability and the ability to connect with players and staff — even across cultural differences and possible language barriers.

The German approach to football is well-balanced and complete, which can make it easier for coaches to adapt and succeed in different environments and styles of play.

SA: Would you like to share how your coaching has been influenced by coaches you played for and/or coaches you’ve coached with?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: Many coaches have inspired me, and as I continue to develop, the world stage remains a steady source of insight and inspiration. Some stand out for their tactical clarity, others for their leadership, communication, or the way they connect with players on a human level.

Jürgen Klopp, Julian Nagelsmann, Carlo Ancelotti, Gian Piero Gasperini, and Mikel Arteta  — just to name a few — have all had a meaningful impact on me in recent years.

Working alongside Julian Nagelsmann for 18 months was surely influential in many ways. But in the end, we all gravitate toward a philosophy that expresses who we are at the deepest level. The deeper we go, the more authentic it becomes — and the greater the chance for real, even extraordinary success.

SA: If someone hadn’t seen your teams play, how would you describe the style of soccer they could expect from a Pellegrino Matarazzo-coached team?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: Offensive, forward-driven, flexible, solution-oriented and pragmatic. In the next couple of stations, it will continue to be a tactical approach that best fits the strengths of the squad, especially the offensive players. They need to play in their best positions with the necessary supporting players in order to unfold potential and maximize output. They decide the games.

SA: During your nearly 25 years in Germany, how often have you returned to the USA and how closely have you been following American soccer?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: As often as possible — and at the same time, not enough (laughs). I really enjoy being home. 

Since moving to Germany in 2000, I’d say I’ve averaged about one and a half trips per year. It’s always easier to travel when I’m not working. Since November, I’ve made three trips to the U.S., and I already have another one planned for June — my youngest brother is getting married.

I’ve started following U.S. Soccer and MLS more closely in recent years, especially as several colleagues and former players have made the move across the Atlantic. I was able to catch the New York Red Bulls’ home opener against Nashville live this season. It’s exciting to see the league expanding and the level improving. I hope it continues to do so, because I really believe there’s enormous potential in the American game still waiting to be tapped into.

SA: What will it take for the USA to do well at the 2026 World Cup? And how do you feel about the current player pool and its talent level?

PELLEGRINO MATARAZZO: Many players are now competing in top leagues around the world, so it’s clear that the U.S. has perhaps the strongest player pool it has had in recent years. But success will depend on more than just talent or stardom.

Belief, ambition, and building a resilient, cohesive unit is often decisive in tournament play — far more important than the weight of names in the starting lineup. These qualities also help create the consistency that’s needed over the course of a tournament.

At the same time, complete support from across the country will play an important role.

Internal goals should always be set at a realistic maximum. In tournament play, everything is possible. That mindset also fits the American spirit: dream big and go all in. A grounded and united environment gives the team the best chance to build momentum and overperform.

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