Bolton boss Megson: Not first time Arsenal’s Wenger has snubbed handshake

Bolton Wanderers boss Gary Megson says Arsene Wenger was wrong to refuse to shake hands with Mark Hughes after Arsenal's Carling Cup defeat at Manchester City last night.

The Frenchman appeared to have been aggrieved at Hughes for stepping into his technical area during the game, but Bolton boss Megson believes that once full time has passed, managers' differences should always be put aside with a handshake.

"We're all trying for the same thing which is to win games for our respective football clubs," Megson said. "I don't care who you are, you will try and get as many advantages as you possibly can.

"But in my view, you can do whatever you want, say whatever you like during the game but after the game, you should shake hands - even if you don't particularly mean it. You should shake hands because people are watching and will draw their own conclusions if you don't.

"I don't think that is particularly good on Arsene's part, and I think he has done it before."
Megson said Wenger may not have considered the implications of his actions.

"What we have to do as managers is realise that although it might not be a great big thing that someone doesn't shake hands with another, the impact is huge, so everybody should do it," Megson said.

"There are times where you might feel hurt about whatever has gone on or been said, but I do feel that at the end of it, you just shake hands and then go down the tunnel.

"You might not mean it but I think it's a lot easier to deal with afterwards even if you don't get on too well with the person you have just shaken hands with, as opposed to not doing it at all."