Walter Mazzarri apologised for 'forgetting' handshake, says Mark Hughes
Sunday 27 November 2016 16:39, UK
Mark Hughes says foreign managers need reminding about post-match customs after Walter Mazzarri snubbed his handshake.
Stoke secured their second away win of the Premier League campaign by beating the Hornets 1-0 at Vicarage Road thanks to a Heurelho Gomes own goal, with Potters midfielder Charlie Adam admitting he fouled Valon Behrami in the build-up.
Watford also had Miguel Britos sent off for a second yellow card late on, and Mazzarri raced down the tunnel at the full-time whistle without the customary handshake with Hughes.
However, although it might not have been by choice, Hughes revealed Mazzarri did come to apologise following the incident.
"I think he just forgot for a brief moment what we do over here, win, lose or draw," Hughes told Sky Sports. "In fairness he's come and apologised. I think maybe he was told to."
Hughes added: "It is something maybe the foreign managers don't always do and they need reminding it is something we do over here.
"Mind you, British managers are in a minority these days so maybe we shouldn't expect it.
"It was an emotional game and I think he was a bit emotional afterwards. He needed to be reminded, and I've shaken hands with him since."
Mazzarri defended his actions by insisting his anger was as a result of referee Bobby Madley, causing him to forget the handshake for a moment.
"I was very angry at that moment with the referee and the time he gave at the end," said Mazzarri.
"I went into the dressing room and gave Mark my hand. I forget in that moment.
"But I was angry with the referee for not giving a lot of time and the decisions he gave. You have to look at the whole game; the fouls, the goal they scored and the yellow cards.
"Anyone can have a bad day. And this time he had a bad day."
Hughes made five changes to the team which lost 1-0 to Bournemouth last weekend after Ryan Shawcross joined a growing list of injury concerns, while Jon Walters was preferred to Wilfried Bony.
"We were a little bit stretched today in terms of personnel, losing our captain in the week and Glenn Whelan as well," said Hughes. "So we had to reorganise."
Walters joined Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic in a three-man attack, as Stoke comfortably dealt with Watford's own 3-4-3 formation.
"It's not something we hadn't worked on, it would be too dangerous to go into a Premier League game not having worked on the shape," said Hughes.
"We had an idea we might be missing a few personnel early in the week. We worked on it in pre-season because we knew it might be an option for us.
"Formations and make-ups of teams is all well and good but you need the players to execute them. They ran and made it work today."
Hughes also praised Gianni Imbula for his comeback into the Stoke starting line-up, with the 24-year-old controlling the tempo of the game alongside Adam in midfield.
"It was important to get Gianni back involved, he's been unlucky in recent weeks," said Hughes. "He went out of the side because, in fairness to him, he held his hands up and said his play wasn't up to what was required, among others.
"He's really buckled down and understood what was needed. In fairness his time out of the team enabled him to look and understand what's required in the Premier League. I thought he was excellent."
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