Dusan Tadic completes a Serbian SuperLiga return to Crvena Zvezda, which could be his last playing spell, considering the club's director's comments.
Truth be told, Saints fans can't help but admit that their increasing Ward-Prowse return demands are fueled solely by nostalgia. But what's more intriguing is the club's strange response, which hesitates despite having endured similar situations in denying former Saints a return this summer.
Now, not to say Southampton should preach a no-return policy with Adam Lallana in the dugout, but interestingly, such heartless but bold calls have proven beneficial for all parties involved in Saints' cases.
Consider the case of former fan-favourite Dusan Tadic.
If you remember, after receiving a Saints rejection, Tadic felt close to making Southampton repent of their action soon. But notice how the tables have turned as the forward now completes a move that satisfies all.
That's because, having been tipped for a St. Mary's return initially, Tadic now heads back home, closing a Serbian switch to Crvena Zvezda.
Tadic to continue in management after seeing out his career at Red Star
Recently, GOAL covered Zvedza's director's words, as he warmly welcomed Tadic back to the Serbian SuperLiga. In the manager's address to Tadic, he expressed: "You need another 30-40 years to do something after your playing career, and Zvezda will allow all the doors of European football to open for you'."
Now, this statement feels like an ordinary one, but reading between the lines says a lot for Tadic's leftover time on the football pitch.
Though many of the Saints fans may be unaware of this, Tadic had long ago expressed his honest desire to follow in a coach's role as an attempt to remain connected with his previous clubs. And to say, the Red Star boss' words speak of this possibility explicitly.
Otherwise, too, for Tadic being on the wrong side of 30, it won't be much time until he bids bye to the sport. But the interesting thing? He is expected to continue in the sport, possibly coaching, being a youth coach or taking a role at Crvena Zvezda.
Interesting, isn't it that despite not getting an Atletico move, Tadic can still wear the Red and White outfit for quite a few of the next seasons at least. Well, Tadic's first breakthrough came in the Saints' Red and White, and hopefully, the forward appreciates it, returning to St. Mary's one day.