The Liverpool Legend Who Went from "Horrendous" to Unstoppable
As a former Southampton player, Shane Long knows a thing or two about the Saints’ transfer dealings with Liverpool. The two clubs have a long history of swapping players, and Long has some great stories to share. One player who caught his eye, both positively and negatively, was Sadio Mané.
When Mané first arrived at St. Mary’s, Long had mixed feelings about the winger. "For the first six months, he was horrendous," Long admits. But, as any Saints fan knows, it didn’t take long for Mané to find his rhythm and become a standout player.
Long credits Ronald Koeman, the manager at the time, for helping Mané develop his game. "Koeman managed to coach him and train him, and he just hit this run of form and you thought, ‘Oh my god, this guy can just go to the very, very top’."
That assessment proved prophetic. Mané went on to become a key player for both Southampton and Liverpool, known for his lightning-fast pace, skill on the ball, and clinical finishing ability. He scored 120 goals in 269 games for the Reds, winning numerous titles including the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup.
It’s interesting to think about what could have been if Mané had struggled to adapt to the Premier League. But, under Koeman’s guidance, he was able to find his footing and become the star player we know today.
So, what does the future hold for Mané? He’s currently playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League after a brief stint in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
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