MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 07:14:21| >> :600:305722:305722:

Mark Hughes: 'Ronald Koeman a big part of Dutch success'

Mark Hughes reveals his admiration for opposite number Ronald Koeman ahead of Southampton's Premier League clash with Stoke City.

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has revealed his respect for Southampton manager Ronald Koeman as the two prepare to do battle in the Premier League this afternoon.

The pair have come up against each other on a number of occasions during their playing days, and Koeman's style of play left an impression on the former Manchester United star.

"He understood the game and he had lots of international experience," Hughes is quoted as saying by the Basingstoke Gazette. "He was never one to run around too much, he was more of a thinking man's centre-half.

"He had a great career. I used to watch him at international level and his range of passing was outstanding. He was a big part of the success of the Dutch teams of that era, so I used to enjoy going up against him.

"It was always tough going up against Barcelona at the best of times. They were always top quality players and you knew that's what you'd get from Ronald Koeman."

Southampton host the Potters on the back of their 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland.

ID:184443: cacheID:184443:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2101:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle of Southampton celebrate during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on October 18, 2014
Read Next:
Koeman backs Tadic to top assist table
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!