Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk has 'no regrets' over Pep Clotet handshake refusal

Monk, who was replaced by Clotet at St Andrews in the summer, refused to shake the Spaniard’s hand both before and after the match, and said he was being true to himself in behaving the way he has.

The Wednesday boss had earlier called Clotet out for a ‘lack of loyalty’ in his pre-match press conference.

He stopped short, however, of explaining what it was that Clotet had done to anger him ‘out of respect to Birmingham’.

On the refusal to shake hands Monk said: “This is a personal situation. That’s nothing against this club, this is a personal situation with someone that I invested a hell of a lot of emotion and time with, and classed as a friend.

“He chose to do a different thing in the worst possible way and that cuts deep.

“That’s all I can say about it. It cuts deep and I’m not going to shy away from that. I’m not going to be fake, I’m going to make things up, that’s not me.

“I don’t respect that, so why would I do that? If you don’t respect me, then why would I respect him in that way?”

The Owls boss was booed by travelling Birmingham fans, who were previously understood to have had a close affinity with the manager that steered them through the choppy waters of a points deduction last season.

Visibly emotional, Monk said: “I wasn’t making accusations. I wasn’t making claims, I wasn’t making comments. I was speaking facts, that what it is.

“I wish it wasn’t true. Every part of my body wishes it wasn’t true. I have to stay consistent and true to myself. You ask anyone that’s ever worked with me, I’ve been honest and open and that’s who I am.

“Whenever you guys ask me questions, I’m honest and open and I answer them honestly.

“I was asked the question, so why shouldn’t I stay true to myself, why shouldn’t I be honest and open. And I understand, I didn’t do it for a reaction, I had nothing to gain from it. I know that, I had nothing to gain from that.

“But what I have to do in that moment, like I’ve done my whole life, is be open and honest, that’s who I am. I got asked the question and I was open and honest about it. Why should I shy away from that, but I understand the reaction.”