Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has opened upon the behind-the-scenes interaction which teenager Alex Jankewitz had with his teammates after his second-minute red card against Manchester United in midweek.
According to Hasenhuttl [via Hampshire Live], the 19-year-old faced his teammates and issued a sincere apology after his early dismissal at Old Trafford. The Swiss youth international was sent off for a calamitous knee-high challenge on Scott McTominay within 90 seconds of his full Premier League debut.
In what was a match to forget for the youngster and his team, the void left by his rashness paved the way for Manchester United to score nine goals in what is the second time that Hasenhuttl has suffered such a result at the Southampton helm.
Saints fans will not want to be reminded of the fact that United scored a goal for each man that Southampton had on the pitch at the full-time whistle. However, Jankewitz’s response will at least be a minor consolation in terms of him fronting up for his moment of impetuousness.
Hasenhuttl branded the youngster’s challenge a “silly mistake” but was impressed by Jankewitz’s professionalism and individual responsibility in humbling himself before his senior colleagues. The manager said [via Hampshire Live]: “He apologised today in front of the team. None of us are free from mistakes, not the player, not the referee, not the manager. Nobody.”
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The episode should at least serve as a learning curve for the youngster. Having previously shown an arrogant streak over a lack of opportunities, Jankewitz bit the hand which fed him after Hasenhuttl’s show of faith.
The humbling experience could at least help Jankewitz mature mentally and change his outlook, but having the backbone to face up to his team-mates over his forgettable moment seems to be a good start at least.
