ROY KEANE thinks managers should talk to their players in private rather than hashing things out on the pitch after an awkward moment between Marc Guehi and Oliver Glasner was caught on camera.
Crystal Palace boss Glasner appeared to be ignored by Guehi following the Eagles’ 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
Guehi, who is subject to heavy transfer speculation regarding an exit from Palace, headed straight down the Stamford Bridge tunnel while Glasner tried to get his attention after the game.
While teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta even seemed to realise something was off between the pair when shaking hands with Glasner moments later.
The uncomfortable moment, which could be related to Guehi’s seemingly imminent departure, led Manchester United legend Keane to launch into a rant about managers being on the pitch in the first place.
Defending Guehi’s decision to head straight down the tunnel, Keane said: “Why has this happened over the last year or two?
“Where managers come on to the pitch and shake hands with everybody and the opposition players.”
Adding: “A player has just had a tough match, he’s physically exhausted, and the manager is just trying to go and have a little chit-chat knowing that there’s talk of him leaving.
“As a player you don’t want to get involved in that as well.
“I’ve had managers come up after the game and you’re going, ‘what’s up with you? Let’s get down the tunnel. If you want to have a chat, we will do it inside’.
“Managers are always wanting to do something on the pitch. That’s all come in the last few years.
“What happened to years ago when the manager would shake the other manager’s hand and walk down the tunnel?
“It’s the new thing. It’s the new garlic bread. Just get down the tunnel, it’s just a league match.”
It’s not the first time Keane has unusually brought up garlic bread during one of his infamous rants, doing the same thing last year when talking about ice baths for players.
The reference is actually a nod to Peter Kay’s iconic stand-up joke from over 20 years ago.
The Bolton comedian’s catchphrase even earned the fan-voted title of greatest television one-liner of all time.
Keane, who spent five years in management as boss of Sunderland and Ipswich Town, doubled down by claiming he would never have entered the pitch to shake hands during his time in charge.
Asked if he would, he replied: “No. Why? You’re going to see them in the dressing room afterwards.
“It’s bad enough that your own manager is shaking your hand, why is the other manager shaking your hand? You’re the enemy!”
The incident has only fuelled the rumours that Guehi could be heading for the exit door at Selhurst Park before the transfer window shuts.
The England international has just one year left on his contract and Palace chiefs would prefer to sell him if they are unable to tie him down to a new deal to avoid him leaving on a Bosman next summer.
If he is to leave this summer then it appears Liverpool are leading the race for his signature.
Speaking after the game, Palace boss Glasner hinted that Guehi and Eberechi Eze – who is rumoured to be joining Tottenham – could both stay put.
He said: “It’s good advice to the kids to not always believe what you read, especially on the internet. Who knows if the rumours that are written are the truth?
“Everybody tells people things for their own advantage. I watch the players every single day in training, if most of the things that are written about them are true, the team couldn’t perform like this, be together and committed to each other like they are – it’s just not possible.
“The 15, 16 players who had the most minutes last year are still here.
“There are a lot of rumours about Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi but they were 100 per cent with this group in Crystal Palace and they have proved that in a big way.”
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