“It was great to see the fans. I didn’t have the occasion to say goodbye to them properly."

Those are the words of Saints hero Morgan Schneiderlin following his long-awaited St Mary's homecoming.

The French midfielder, who retired earlier this year, pulled on the red and white of Southampton once more to take part in a charity game on Sunday.

He had returned to St Mary's three times as an opposition player prior to hanging up his boots but admitted those occasions "never felt the same."

Schneiderlin is undoubtedly a Saints legend having earned promotion from League One into the Premier League before helping the club establish themselves in the top flight.

It was during his spell on the south coast that he earned a call-up to represent France at the World Cup - a dream he held from his childhood.


Leaving Saints was a difficult decision. And while he admitted his move to Manchester United did not go to plan, he opts to live life without regrets.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, nearly 10 years later, he said: “It was difficult.  At that stage of my career, I wanted to give myself the opportunity to live my dreams.

“I played in the World Cup and I joined a club who would allow me to play in the Champions League and win trophies.

“I did that with Manchester United, I won some trophies, but it didn’t turn out how I wanted it to. Of course, when you look back you ask 'Should I have made another decision?'

“I say I should live with no regrets. I was thinking at the time that it was the best decision, based on the size of the club.

“I am forever grateful to play for a club like this, but, you can say if I made a different decision then god knows (what could have happened).

"I came here as a boy and I left as a man. I grew as much as a player as I did as a man. This club was like a second family to me. It means a lot. I will always be grateful.

Schneiderlin collected a lot of fond memories during his playing career. He represented France 15 times and was called up for two major tournaments.

He is a Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup winner from his time at Manchester United - but it is a game from his Saints tenure that sticks out most in his memory.


“The promotion from League One into the Premier League was amazing. I will always remember this game against Coventry," he recalled.

Saints thrashed Coventry 4-0 on the final day of the season to seal promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt.

“Going down to League One was very difficult. At that moment, the club kept me. That gave me the sense that they wanted to do something big.

“The feeling I had on the pitch after that game against Coventry was the best feeling I have ever had in my life.

“It was a dream come true to play in the Premier League. It was a privilege to share the pitch with big players and prove myself in the Premier League."

Saints stayed in the Premier League for 11 seasons following that promotion - Schneiderlin remained at the club for three of them.

That was despite a difficult start to their return to the Premier League, not too dissimilar from the current Saints team.

In Schneiderlin's eyes, the togetherness the group had is what carried them through and ultimately helped them finish 14th - five points clear of relegation.

“The team spirit helped us stay up in the first season. We had a very good team, we had qualities.

“We didn’t start the season very well but then we had a very good game here against Swansea.

“We were away with the gaffer for two or three days. We were talking with each other and then it clicked afterwards.


“We had confidence. Some of the players felt like they belonged in the Premier League. The turning point was when we brought in Pochettino.

"He was a big thing for us. He made us understand better.  Nigel Adkins was a very good manager, but Pochettino made us even better players.”

Schneiderlin is now exploring his post-playing career options. The 34 year old is currently taking his coaching badges while also working for French TV as a pundit.

Sunday's charity game at St Mary's was actually the first time he had played since hanging up his boots.

The former Nice and Everton man admitted he has consciously avoided playing football, save for a kickabout with his son.

“I love watching football but I wanted to do something else," he concluded. "I’m doing a lot of things in football but I don’t play anymore. You need a break after - everyone has their own feeling.

“My feeling was that I wanted to do something else, other sports, other things. I wanted to forget touching the ball for a little bit.

“Passing my coaching badges is about giving myself a chance to be a manager and help players. I want to give it a go as a manager but we will see what opportunities come along.

"I will make a choice, but right now, I’m trying to make myself better in every department. I want to understand management and coaching.”