‘You know nothing!’ – Southampton groundsman calls out Ruben Dias in hilarious X post after Man City star’s pitch rant

In the world of football, it’s usually the players, managers, and referees who steal the headlines. But this week, an unlikely hero emerged from the shadows of St. Mary’s Stadium – Southampton’s head groundsman, who wasn’t about to let Manchester City defender Ruben Dias’ comments about the pitch condition slide without a response.

The Pitch Battle Begins

Following Manchester City’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against Southampton this past weekend, Portuguese international Ruben Dias expressed his frustration in a post-match interview, claiming the St. Mary’s pitch was “deliberately unwatered” and in “poor condition” to disrupt City’s flowing football style.

“The pitch was clearly prepared to slow our play,” Dias reportedly stated. “You could see how dry it was, how the ball wasn’t moving properly. It’s a tactic, but one that goes against the spirit of the game.”

The Groundsman Strikes Back

While managers and players often make such complaints without much pushback, Southampton’s groundsman (who prefers to be known simply as “Dave”) was having none of it. In an X (formerly Twitter) post that has since gone viral, Dave shared detailed irrigation records and pitch measurement data alongside a photo of the pristine St. Mary’s turf.

“Dear Ruben,” the post began, “You know nothing, Jon Snow! 😂 Our pitch had exactly 23mm of water applied over the 48hrs before kickoff – that’s ABOVE the Premier League recommended level. Moisture readings at 23% across all areas. Sorry your excuses don’t hold water… unlike our pitch!”

The post, which has amassed over 200,000 likes and 50,000 reposts, was accompanied by the hashtags #GroundsmanLife and #SoakingWet.

Behind the Scenes of Pitch Preparation

What many football fans don’t realize is the incredible science and dedication that goes into preparing a Premier League pitch. Modern groundskeepers are highly trained professionals who use advanced technology to monitor and maintain playing surfaces.

Southampton’s ground staff utilize soil moisture sensors, grass health monitoring systems, and precise cutting techniques to ensure their pitch meets the highest standards required by the Premier League.

“A proper football pitch isn’t supposed to be a swimming pool,” explains football pitch expert Simon Richards. “There’s an optimal moisture level that provides the right amount of grip and ball movement. Too wet and players slip, too dry and it becomes dangerous. Southampton’s readings were well within professional standards.”

Not the First Pitch Battle

This isn’t the first time a top team has blamed pitch conditions after dropping points. Pep Guardiola himself has previously commented on opposition pitches, as have managers like Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta.

The difference here is the rare public response from the groundskeeping team – typically the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to create the stages on which football’s drama unfolds.

Social Media Reacts

Football Twitter (or X) erupted with reactions to the groundsman’s comeback, with fans loving the technical detail and humor of the response.

One popular comment read: “Imagine spending years mastering soil science and horticulture only to have a footballer who can’t tell the difference between bermuda and rye grass question your work.”

Another fan tweeted: “Groundsmen are the true artists of football. Their canvas just happens to be made of grass!”

The Bigger Picture

Beyond the humor, this incident highlights how every aspect of football has become increasingly professional and technical. From nutrition to psychology, from data analysis to pitch maintenance – the modern game leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of marginal gains.

It also reminds us that sometimes the most interesting football stories happen far from the spotlight, in the mundane but essential work that makes the beautiful game possible.

As for Dias and Manchester City, perhaps the next time they visit St. Mary’s, they’ll come prepared with a more creative excuse for dropped points – the Southampton groundskeeping team will certainly be watching and waiting.