Roy Hodgson, 76, beats Sheffield United’s Max Lowe, 26, in a touchline altercation as Crystal Palace boss extends his record as the Premier League’s oldest manager

Roy Hodgson showed that there is still a lot of contention in football’s hottest retiree by putting on an unexpected displacement match with Sheffield United’s Max Lowe during Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win at Bramall Lane.

The flashpoint involving the 76-year-old Palace boss occurred after an hour when United’s Lowe – 40 years his junior – ran over to try and make a quick pitch in front of the visitor’s technical room.

When Hodgson held onto the ball to slow down his opponent, Lowe violently tried to snatch it from his hands, which led to the senior Premier League boss shoving him in retaliation.

“It surprised me a bit,” said a jovial Hodgson afterwards. “I guess I don’t take on many challenges at my age these days.

“It was nothing at all and right after that he looked over and we smiled at each other.

Hodgson, 76, is the oldest manager in the Premier League this season

Jordan Ayew ably supported his manager during the temporary scuffle

“Obviously he realized he hadn’t done much to hurt me and I was probably a little surprised that I had the energy to react the way I did!”

My first reaction when I was hit was of course to complain. But I think it was pure accident, it was nothing.’

Hodgson’s remarkable managerial career dates back to 1976 and has included spells at Inter Milan, Liverpool and England.

He came out of retirement last season to help save Palace from relegation and decided to stay on for the new season.

Reacting to the incident on Gillette Soccer Saturday, Sky pundit and former Palace favorite Clinton Morrison said: ‘Roy wants to fight someone!

Max Lowe moved over to take a pitch and he just tried to get Roy out of the way.

“Roy grabbed him and said ‘Don’t do that again’ and there’s a little fight, but it’s okay, it’s settled.”