BLACKPOOL’S Mick McCarthy launched a hilarious defence of Saints manager Nathan Jones after being seen sharing a moment with his counterpart inside the ground at St Mary’s.

The two bosses went head-to-head in the FA Cup fourth round with the Welshman’s side winning out 2-1 after a Romain Perraud brace.

As Jones was leaving the media area following his press conference, he bumped into McCarthy on the way in to address the visiting media.

Spotted engaging in a passionate chat before going their separate ways, the Daily Echo asked McCarthy what the engagement was about. 

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Both bosses have inherited a side facing a relegation battle in their respective divisions, with Saints bottom of the Premier League and Blackpool only one better in the Championship.

“I shared a moment because I’ve spent my life barking at him, when he was at Charlton with the 23s or when he was with Brighton,” McCarthy explained.

“We’ve had arguments, Nathan and I. But I’ve always liked him and respected him, his team at Charlton, the 21s, were a different class. They were well-coached and ran around.

“The job he had done at Luton was fabulous. I’ve sent him a few messages recently because of the results he’s had, and that’s the reason why, because I like him. I respect him, and I think he’s a really good coach,” he added.

“I was delighted when he got this job, and I hope he keeps them up, for him. I have no affiliation to Southampton or 91 other teams for that matter while I’m at Blackpool. But for him, I hope he does it because he proved his worth.

"He got the Stoke job, which didn’t go well, and then went back to Luton, dragged them out of poverty almost and nearly got them promoted and left a great squad for Rob Edwards now.

“That’s why we had the moment. Not because the two of us are in the s**t.”

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