Jurgen Klopp hit the headlines after Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester United by storming out of a press conference with a Scandinavian reporter.
But he is far from the only manager to have stormed out of a press conference after being unhappy with a question. Here are some of the other famous examples of when journalists pushed managers too far…
‘You are an ostrich’ – Nigel Pearson
“I think you must be an ostrich. Is your head in the sand?”
That was then Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson’s response when quizzed by a journalist about the criticism Pearson claimed had been aimed at him and his team following a defeat to Chelsea back in 2015. Pearson also called the reporter “very stupid” in a scarcely believable rant which culminated in the Leicester boss ending his own press conference by getting up and walking out. He later apologised for the comments.
“Three for me and two for them, respect!” – Jose Mourinho
In classic Jose Mourinho fashion, the then Manchester United boss got up and walked out of a press conference following his side’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in 2018. Mourinho used the 3-0 scoreline to demonstrate how many Premier League titles he had won as a manager in response to the criticism he was facing, demanding respect from the journalist who had asked the question as he left the room in what has become one of the most iconic lines in Premier League history.
“How many games have we had at home? Come on!” – Nuno Espirito Santo
Wolves manager Nuno was in no mood for questioning about his side’s away record after a 3-1 loss to Southampton in 2019. When told that his side had gone five without a win away from Molineux, the Wolves boss pointed to his side’s home record before quickly ending his press conference there and then.
“Are you serious? We’re not struggling! – Alex Ferguson
The legendary Manchester United boss did not take too kindly to the suggestion that his side were struggling in Europe back in 2011. United had drawn 2-2 with Benfica in their penultimate Champions League group game, prompting a reporter to ask whether standards in the Premier League were slipping, to which Ferguson decided was enough to justify ending his press conference and walking out.
“Enjoy the wine and a mince pie, goodbye!” – Louis van Gaal
The Manchester United manager’s poetic ending to a press conference was prompted by questions around his future at the club with pressure growing on the under-fire Dutchman in 2015. The United boss refused the opportunity to answer more questions from journalists, instead offering them a Christmas beverage and snack before leaving the room.
