Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke has revealed what was going on when he was spotted talking to Pep Guardiola after the recent win over Manchester City.
Voetbal Zone cover comments from the Brighton defender today from an interview with Algemeen Dagblad in which he reveals what Guardiola had to say to him.
Brighton were 2-1 winners over Manchester City before the international break, coming back from a goal down to secure all three points against Guardiola’s side.
Van Hecke was key to the victory, enjoying a 90-minute battle with Erling Haaland that most believe he won, even though the striker did get his name on the scoresheet.
He was seen talking animatedly with Van Hecke on the pitch after the game, with most assuming he had confronted the 24-year-old over a small fight with Haaland towards the end of the game.
Van Hecke hit the ground in that small tussle, and it seems the Manchester City manager was not happy with the Brighton defender, even if he was also taking his time to compliment him.
“That was a nice conversation: he congratulated me on the victory and said we had played well. Then it was about my last game with Haaland, where he thought I should have stayed standing,” he said.
“I replied that although I went to the ground, I also got up straight away. That was it. Because the conversation on the field was in full view, everyone asked about it. Fellow players joked about it, everyone wanted to know exactly what had been said.
“But Guardiola was also very complimentary, he said I was a good player. So, I thought it was fine for a long time.”
