Jones unhappy at City chief Clement over handshake saga.

Charlton manager Nathan Jones accused Norwich City’s head coach Philippe Clement of disrespect for prolonging their post-match handshake at The Valley.

The Canaries’ manager was seen celebrating with his backroom staff and players following their 1-0 victory, with Jones eventually walking away before Clement caught up with him on the pitch.

Jones felt slighted by the delayed handshake, while Clement stated that he was simply celebrating with his staff and players first, and that the matter will be handled privately.

During his post-match press conference, the Welshman expressed his displeasure with City’s coach.

“I don’t want to make a big deal of it, but after the match, managers usually shake their hands,” Jones said. “He shook 25 people’s hands before coming to shake the manager’s hand.” I believe that is a lack of respect. Instead of high-fiving the crowd, I shake the hands of the kit guy, water bottle handlers, and others. I also respect their boss. Then, if I want to do something, like high-five someone, I do so.

“So I think he showed a real lack of respect, and I told him that.”

City’s boss indicated he would attempt to smooth things over with the Charlton boss and insisted no offence was intended as he played down the incident.

“I think we can solve it amongst ourselves,” Clement said. “So I’m always respectful of going to the manager, but I greeted first my staff and my players because I was really pleased after the hard weeks that we had with all the injuries and the tough week with the Southampton game.

“I was maybe a few seconds too late with him, but that will be solved in a few minutes. No problem. No stories to make about that.”

Following the final whistle at the Valley, City manager Clement celebrated the victory with his backroom staff and squad. (Image by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd.)
Aside from his annoyance with Clement, Jones was appreciative about City’s qualities during his post-game thoughts, claiming that Charlton’s progress to compete with a team of their level reflects positively on his club.

“They were really good on the counterattack, and they continue to play that way. “We’ve tried to get some of their players, but have been nowhere near getting them because we’re a fledgling in this league,” the Addicks boss stated.

“We have just been in the Championship for seven months. “They’ve been in the Premier League and Championship for as long as I can remember, with Teemu Pukki scoring regularly, and they were a yo-yo team that went up and down.” So for us to catch up with these and be only four or five points behind them indicates that we’re in a great position as well.”

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