Former Southampton striker Shane Long has revealed one issue between Ronald Koeman and Sadio Mane.
Southampton’s 2014/15 squad will no doubt go down as one of the most exciting Saints squads in their recent history.
The team was undoubtedly packed with firepower, from Toby Alderweireld at the back, with James Ward-Prowse and Victor Wanyama in the centre-of-the-park, to the likes of Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane on the flanks, there was no doubt that the side was something truly special.
Former Republic of Ireland international Shane Long often led out the team, and bagged five Premier League goals in 32 appearances that season, whilst also getting six assists, helping Southampton to a 7th place finish, just two points behind Liverpool.
Whilst Long was integral to the side, he has unsurprisingly regarded now-Champions League winner Mane as a brilliant player who shone for Southampton that season, however not all things went smoothly for the Senegalese attacker after he was dropped for one reason by former Saints boss Ronald Koeman.
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Ronald Koeman dropped Sadio Mane at Southampton for being ‘late to meetings’
Whilst Koeman’s managerial career has not gone brilliantly at the likes of Everton, Barcelona and Valencia, he no doubt thrived at St Mary’s, where he helped build a brilliant squad.
Former Southampton striker Long was certainly a fan of the Dutch boss, suggesting that ‘everybody respected him’.
Speaking on the Ben Foster Podcast, there was one situation involving Mane that went slightly out of hand: “He [Koeman] loved to chat to the lads and have that personal touch.
“But if training wasn’t up to scratch he would go absolutely nuts. He had that authority.
“He had that personality about him where everyone respected him.
“We had Pelle, Wanyama and Mane, who were all brilliant, but Mane and Wanyama used to be late for meetings and if they were a minute late they were both out of the squad.
“We’d try and tell them how being on time means a lot.”
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Southampton’s 2014/15 squad will have an everlasting effect on the club
There was no doubt that the side managed by Koeman was a pinnacle of recent times for Southampton, and the successes of this season no doubt brought in Premier League stability for seasons to come.
The Saints were able to build on a brilliant 2013/14 campaign, where they finished 8th, and it also gave them the chance to play in Europe.
Whilst Long may have not been the main striker for the Saints and solely provided the attacking output, with Jay Rodriguez and Graziano Pelle also providing options to lead the line, he most certainly played his part.
From a financial aspect, Southampton most certainly benefited in the long-term, with the sale of Mane to Liverpool, who would also be joined later down the line by Virgil Van Dijk, who the Saints signed from Celtic.