READING FC: Jose Gomes explains it would be 'intelligent' to use John O'Shea in Royals coaching set-up

, 38, brought the curtain down on his 20-year playing career when coming on as a late substitute for the Royals in

on Sunday.

The defender spent 12 seasons at Manchester United where he won five Premier League titles, the Community Shield three times and League Cup twice, plus one Club World Cup, Champions League and FA Cup winners medals.

Capped 118 times by the Republic of Ireland, he was given a guard of honour from both sets of players at the Madejski Stadium, and Gomes believes he is ready to start a career in coaching.

The Royals boss told the Chronicle: "I've not seen anything like the guard of honour before but, for me, the respect means a lot. He conquered the players' respect without doing anything.

"John is a very intelligent person. He's quite and doesn't speak too much but, when he talks everybody listens and all the players respect him a lot.

"He has won everything and had a fantastic career, and he deserved the guard of honour. That's what his colleagues showed, the respect of a player who has won everything."

On a possible future with the Royals for the man who has made a total of 646 club and international appearances, Gomes said: "Officially, we must wait for the club decision, but this kind of player you can't find easily.

"He has won everything and worked with the top managers in his career. John is very intelligent and already done the managers courses so he's ready to start.

"When we find a person like John, it's intelligent if we can use him. I don't know whether he will accept our conditions or not, but I think we should use him."