There aren’t many people who could make you cower by calling you an ostrich, but Nigel Pearson is one of them.
The Leicester City boss launched a bizarre rant after Wednesday night’s loss to Chelsea, saying an unsuspecting reporter was burying his head in the sand for querying his assertion that his team had received unfair criticism.
Here are five reasons why it’s best to stay on Pearson’s good side.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at Pearson’s other outbursts this season.
1. You’re an ostrich
When Pearson suggested his players had been unfairly criticised, one reporter queried whether that was true and asked which incidents in particular had upset him.
Pearson replied: “Have you been on holiday for six months? Have you been away for six months? I think you must have been either ‘head in the clouds’ or away on holiday or reporting on a different team because if you don’t know the answer to that question your question is absolutely unbelievable, the fact you do not understand where I am coming from.
“If you don’t know the answer to that question then I think you are an ostrich. Your head must be in the sand. Is your head in the sand? Are you flexible enough to get your head in the sand? My suspicion would be no. I can, you can’t. You can’t.”
2. Arguing with a fan
Pearson was fined £10,000 and handed a one-match touchline ban after after arguing with a fan during the club’s loss to Liverpool in December.
He refused to apologise, saying: “I’m not going to repeat what happened on either side. I’m very keen to protect myself and my players. I’m more than happy to stand up for myself in that situation.
“If people were offended then that is regrettable. But there is no need to apologise to somebody of that ilk.”
3. ‘Throttling’ James McArthur
Pearson was involved in a bizarre altercation with former transfer target James McArthur during his side’s 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in February
Pearson was initially bowled over on the touchline by McArthur, resulting in what was initially a friendly exchange between the Foxes boss and the Palace midfielder. Pearson even “playfully” grabbed McArthur around the throat before helping him to his feet, only to then prevent him from returning to the pitch by grabbing hold of his shirt, saying afterwards it was “because he said something to me”.
Asked to elaborate, Pearson added: “I don’t have to reveal anything do I? I’m more than capable of looking after myself.”
4. Fountains of knowledge
Ah Nigel Pearson is blaming MOTD for making a mountain out of a molehill. We'd best be careful in future, the fella can look after himself.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 9, 2015
Pearson hit out at Match Of The Day pundits Gary Lineker, Danny Murphy and Jermaine Jenas for making a “mountain out of a molehill” following his clash with McArthur.
He said: “It’s not helpful when the three fountains of knowledge on Match Of The Day make a mountain out of a molehill, there’s nothing in that on Saturday. The lad’s okay and it was very light hearted.
“How it was reported was totally inaccurate. Our owners are fine, as they were with the incident with the fan. You’re looking for news which is not there.”
5. Waxing or waning?
Following Leicester’s 0-0 draw with Hull City, Pearson was riled when a reporter asked whether his team was “waxing” or waning” in the relegation run-in.
“I don’t have to use that sort of analogy,” he responded. “We are in the same position. We’ve got 10 games left, six games at home, and our home form has to be drastically improved for us to give ourselves the best chance. That’s it. You got any more questions you want to ask? Obviously not.”
Pearson could then clearly be heard saying: “‘Waxing or waning?’, fucking hell. My arse,” before getting up and appearing to utter the word: “Prick.”
Source: SNAPPA
