Putting Keegan to Shame: The Story Behind the Angriest Interview Ever

Ian Holloway Produces Angriest Interview Ever after Captain is Banned

When you are to think of a post-match rant by a manager in English football, the one that most would think of first is that of Kevin Keegan in 1996.

Keegan, at the time manager of Newcastle Utd, was in the heat of an intense title race with Manchester United during the 1995/1996 campaign. And as the interview showed, it was clear the pressure was getting to the Magpies coach.

"I will love it!"

On this day 29 years ago, Kevin Keegan went on THIS infamous rant 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/c30NbyHdJG

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 29, 2025

The infamous rant took place after Keegan's side had beaten Leeds United 1-0 on April 29th. As Sir Alex Ferguson claimed days before, that opposing team tried harder to beat his Manchester United team than when they played Newcastle, even suggesting that certain teams wouldn't mind letting Newcastle win. Ferguson's words clearly got to Keegan, who let his frustrations get the better of him on live television.

Stating angrily, "I'll love it if we beat them," the phrase and interview as a whole have gone down in English football social media folklore. Perhaps made even more popular due to the fact Newcastle would end up collapsing in the title race.

However, Saturday saw Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway produce a post-match rant that makes Keegan's 1996 effort rather tame.

The 62-year-old's Swindon side were victorious over Barrow in their EFL League Two tie 3-1 on Saturday, a win which lifts them into the playoff places. However, on the eve of the fixture, it was announced that captain Ollie Clarke would be suspended for the match, after the Robins skipper appeared for his side in their EFL Trophy match vs Forest Green Rovers, during which he was serving a seven-game ban.

Swindon, however, did not believe that the fixture counted towards the ban and selected Clarke to play. As a result, Swindon were fined £1,000 and Clarke was given a further one-match suspension to be served for the Barrow fixture. However, Ian Holloway and the club were only informed 24 hours before the match, leading to the manager going into an explosive rant against the EFL authorities.

🗣️ "Have a look at yourselves"

A furious post-match reaction from Ian Holloway on Ollie Clarke's ban being announced on the eve of today's win over Barrow.

Hear his full reaction on @BBCSounds 🎧
👉 https://t.co/504V4jL6Me#STFC #BBCFootball #BBCEFL pic.twitter.com/NeREpzmCGt

— BBC Wiltshire Sport (@BBCWiltsSport) January 31, 2026

Holloway stated that it was 'unprofessional' and 'disgusting' to only inform him of his captain's suspension less than a day before his side kicked off vs Barrow. Before going on to mention that those involved at the EFL should 'sort their lives out', as he seemed to get progressively more angry.

Holloway's words mean that a fine for the Swindon manager is likely to come his way. And another fine could also come the way of Swindon Town, as it appears that they used player Aaron Drinan as a substitute despite not naming him in the teamsheet.

What is certain, however, is that Holloway's extraordinary words will go down alongside Keegan's as one of the most explosive post-match interviews ever conducted by a manager in English football.