Ronald Koeman has shared his appreciation to Roy Hodgson for resting Ryan Bertrand on Monday, as England travelled to Lithuania to see out their 100% group record.
Koeman has also made it clear that he’s happy for his players to join up with the England national squad for their pre-Euro 2016 friendlies.
The club vs. country row has long since been rumbling, with injuries also taking the hot seat of criticism recently, but Koeman maintains that if his players are chosen, they can play.
It’s a good experience for the players. I’m not against international duties because I think it’s a compliment to the players, it’s a compliment to the club.
Koeman says he asked Dave Watson, England and Southampton’s goalkeeping coach, to speak to Roy Hodgson and suggest Bertrand was perhaps better off not playing on Monday due to the artificial pitch.
It’s important to have Dave also in the English national staff, but Ryan was a long time out from football (through injury), the second match was on the artificial grass, and I asked Dave, ‘Can you have a talk to the national coach? Maybe it’s better for Ryan to play one time and not to play on the artificial grass’.
Ronaldo Koeman then expressed his gratitude to Hodgson for taking the suggestion on board and leaving the left back out in Vilnius.
I appreciate that very much but I understand, it’s difficult always., If he does it differently (to my request), I have to respect that, but in the case of Ryan I was very pleased that he didn’t play the second match.
Southampton host Leicester City on Saturday as they look to continue their winning form.
