Former Southampton U-23 head coach Radhi Jaidi has opened up about his move from the English south coast to Connecticut in the United States to take over USL Championship side Hartford Athletic.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the 44-year-old coach delved into why he took up the opportunity to coach in the second-tier of the American football pyramid, explaining that taking up the position as a first-team manager was too good an opportunity to refuse.
It was announced earlier this month that Jaidi will join Hartford Athletic as part of a 12-month secondment as confirmed on Southampton’s official website, with the former Tunisia national team captain leaving the young Saints 11th in the Premier League 2 table.
Will Southampton claim Premier League survival?YesNo |
Jaidi said about his move to the east coast of America: “During these 12 months I will experience the head coach role. This is the next step of my development. I have been working for ten years in Southampton as a player and as a coach and during these years, I have learnt the basics of developing players and progressing players from the under-23’s to the first team.”
The former Saints defender added with: “The head coach opportunity is quite interesting for me and I couldn’t refuse such an opportunity to help both teams to connect and ultimately myself to become a head coach.”
With Southampton’s U-23 side doing as poorly as the senior squad this season as the Premier League table shows, it is understandable as to why Jaidi has decided to take a risk and take his managerial abilities overseas as well as for a senior team.
And with the former Saints defender admitting to BBC Sport that he will one day like to take charge of the Tunisia national team in the future, a move to America to take on an established club in a division that is growing every year is a great beginner step for Jaidi after so many years with Southampton’s U-23 side.
