Brighton defender Van Hecke plays down furious exchange with Guardiola
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke (24) insisted that his heated exchange with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was not a big issue.
Van Hecke was approached by Guardiola after the final whistle following Brighton's 2-1 win, with the two in animated discussions.
However, the defender was not critical of Guardiola, stating the two were just discussing an incident late in the game when the centre-half tussled with Ciy forward Erling Haaland.
“We were just speaking about the foul at the end in the box. He asked me what happened in the box and I explained,” Van Hecke stated post-game.
“He congratulated me. I said they had a great team. He is a great manager.
“You see the way his team played at the end of last season when we lost 4-0.”
The defender added: “I felt like the whole game I was in the rondo. I only have a lot of respect for him.”
