Close menu

Nathan Redmond: Pep Guardiola was complimenting me, says Southampton forward

Last updated on .From the section Southamptoncomments49

Pep Guardiola
Nathan Redmond's Southampton lost 2-1 at Manchester City on Wednesday

Southampton forward Nathan Redmond has defended Pep Guardiola after the Manchester City manager was seen having an animated discussion with him at the end of Wednesday's Premier League game.

Raheem Sterling's 96th-minute winner sealed a 2-1 victory for City.

Guardiola said he was telling 23-year-old Redmond "how good a player he is" on the pitch following at full-time.

"When one of the world's best managers compliments you or gives advice in any way, you listen," said Redmond.

In a post on social media, Redmond added:external-link "Yes, he was very passionate, intense and aggressive - but he was only very complimentary and positive to me.

"He commented on my qualities as a young English player and how he wanted me to attack his team more during the game in a similar way to last season.

"I told him I was doing what my manager had asked me to do in the game. That's it.

"Nothing negative or offensive was said towards me from Pep and that's what makes him one of the best managers in world football."

Redmond scored the opener when Southampton held City to a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium last season.

"Last season he destroyed us here," said Guardiola. "I didn't know him last season, I realised how good he is.

"[On Wednesday] he could not attack because they defend all the time, but that is what it is."

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

49 comments

  • Comment posted by Nathan, at 10:53 1 Dec 2017

    It's all very nicely intended and passionate, but if you were Pellegrino you'd want him to butt out as it undermines him as a coach which in turn puts Redmond in an awkward spot.

  • Comment posted by julieb, at 12:19 1 Dec 2017

    All I can add to this is whatever Pep said only he and Redmond know. If Redmond doesn't have a problem with it then what it got to do with any of us

  • Comment posted by User0430685059, at 10:50 1 Dec 2017

    You hear stories like this and the admiration for Pep just grows and grows-Don't read posts like the Numpty below me-Pep is a class act and any of us would be lucky people to get advice from him!!

  • Comment posted by Alex, at 10:57 1 Dec 2017

    So Nathan Redmond to Man City next season then.

  • Comment posted by PetreDyche, at 10:59 1 Dec 2017

    Shut it Pep, we teach our young English players to play the RIGHT way - run around like a dog (BULLDOG!) without any tactical or technical nouse and try to sneak a winner at a set piece!

  • Comment posted by gowgetter, at 10:56 1 Dec 2017

    Pep talk...

  • Comment posted by User0682819042, at 11:48 1 Dec 2017

    11 omnom

    No way any other manager gets away with aggressively harassing an opposing team's player after beating them with a last-minute winner.

    ---

    Thats because they're usually abusing their female physio and other staff.

  • Comment posted by Dusan Timote, at 11:38 1 Dec 2017

    Pellegrino should be rightly peeved that Guardiola has gone directly to his players to instigate unrest at the managers tactics - tactics which were very close to coming off....

  • Comment posted by The Icon, at 12:03 1 Dec 2017

    If Kung Fu Lukaku can get away with kicking out twice at an opponent much to the complete bewilderment of the pundits and football supporters everywhere, then a few words in the ear of an opposition player telling him how good he is should bring approving words from the FA But hey this is the FA and Man Utd, a bigger romance than Harry & Megan, so Pep to be banned and The Lump gets off with no ban

  • Comment posted by U16650765, at 11:27 1 Dec 2017

    Never seen any manager do that. I get his intentions, but he should have done it in the tunnel or indoors, not in the full glare of TV and supporters. Very unprofessional.

  • Comment posted by nonsense, at 11:38 1 Dec 2017

    Is there anyone who can't see through this? He's just undermining the other coach. Effectively he's saying "I know you're a good player, but why do you listen to your manager?" He uses the compliment to promote himself (Pep the perfectionist who cares so much about attacking football). Watch him get sour with journalists and everyone else whenever City draw. Definition of self-righteousness. Bliah

  • Comment posted by NeilB, at 10:57 1 Dec 2017

    I can imagine NR is feeling extremely proud to have been approached by one of the worlds best managers in such a way. Got to be a great boost to his confidence.

  • Comment posted by Dave M, at 11:18 1 Dec 2017

    If that's him being positive, just imagine if he lays into you for doing wrong...

    In all seriousness, if it was all meant to be complimentary then there are ways to gi about feeding that back to the player, directly on the pitch after the match undermines the other manager and is unprofessional

    Love Pep and his passion though, a great manager

  • Comment posted by SameAsAbove, at 11:49 1 Dec 2017

    Highlights the huge difference in qualities between the 2 managers.

    I for one, can't stand a manager who restricts the abilities of technically gifted players. I'd be embarrassed if I were Pellegrino.

  • Comment posted by RedRose, at 11:27 1 Dec 2017

    It seems to me Redmond is being sensible and has taken the sting out of the current media storm surrounding the incident. Passionate Pep was consumed with the last minute victory and annoyed at the lack of Southampton's desire to play. I now see why they say it's easier to setup a team to defend, with the right player discipline it is. Not sure that those who pay through the nose for tickets feel

  • Comment posted by Sport loving Peter , at 11:19 1 Dec 2017

    Really BBC what is the need for a HYS on this ? the player has told us what happened he has no reason to defend Guardiola so we would assume this is what was said, next you'll see BBC reporter asking Jose what he thinks of it in his next interview!

  • Comment posted by User0593293414, at 17:31 1 Dec 2017

    #25 is very telling. You say you’ve never seen a manager do that before? Well, it depends on what you mean by “that”. If you mean have an animated discussion with an opposition player, I’ve seen that many times - it’s just usually to have a go at them about some perceived foul or other slight. If you mean trying to build them up and encourage them then yes, that’s rare. Yet Pep’s in the wrong?!

  • Comment posted by User0413527506, at 12:39 1 Dec 2017

    Redmond is a great player with the potential to improve. Pep seems to have a mission to improve already good players. The two seem suited to each other so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Redmond move to City next season.

  • Comment posted by D1710842201129, at 11:51 1 Dec 2017

    I can't see anything wrong in Guardiola telling an opposition player how to play, however if Mourinho tried this then I would want to see an FA investigation immediately and Mourinho given a 6 or 12 month ban along with ManU being thrown out of the league

  • Comment posted by Llewellyn Dowd , at 12:32 1 Dec 2017

    All the extra time came from all the Saints' timewasting, from the 9th minute..

Also in Sport

Elsewhere on the BBC