'I've never known' - Russell Martin reveals what Fabian Hurzeler and his staff did to annoy him

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler didn’t give too much away when asked about a heated exchange with Southampton manager Russell Martin – but the latter was a bit more forthcoming in his reasonings.

The duo squared up to each other after a controversial 1-1 draw at the Amex in the Premier League on Friday night (November 29).

Kaoru Mitoma gave the hosts the lead but they were pegged back by Flynn Downes’ equalising goal.

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Southampton thought they had a winner when Cameron Archer had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out after a long VAR check. Adam Armstrong was adjudged to have interfered with play from an offside position.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler didn’t give too much away when asked about a heated exchange with Southampton manager Russell Martin. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler didn’t give too much away when asked about a heated exchange with Southampton manager Russell Martin. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler didn’t give too much away when asked about a heated exchange with Southampton manager Russell Martin. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Hurzeler, meanwhile, was angered that Downes wasn’t sent off for an accumulation of fouls – when already booked.

"For me it's just important to have respect for each other,” Hurzeler told reporters in a post-match press conference.

Asked specifically what the issue was, the 31-year-old added: “You have to ask him.

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“I think it's so important to respect each other, to be also like how you talk to each other on the sidelines, I think that's the most important and that's how I get educated.”

Martin was asked for his version of events when he came to speak to the press.

The 38-year-old, who began his football career at Brighton – his hometown club – said: “He's just come in and said, for me, it's important to have respect.

“Respect is reciprocal. Yeah, it's mutual.”

Asked what irked him, Martin added: “I think just the amount of times, and then the opposition dug out, that asked for a book-in for one of our players. I've never known it to be to that level.

“It's no problem. We're both trying to win. It's no problem.”

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