Nigel Pearson goes on truly bizarre post-match rant, calls journalist an ostrich

In a candid interview at the weekend, Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson explained that he's really not as "dour" or "miserable" as people paint him to be.

Except, um, he really does seem to be quite "dour" and "miserable". Particularly in some of his post-match press conferences.

A month after muttering "pr**k" under his breath at one journalist, the Foxes' manager went on a quite bizarre (but in many ways brilliant) rant after a line of questioning he didn't like following his team's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night.

This time, it was Wardles agency reporter Ian Baker in the firing line.

Here's a transcript:

Baker:

What criticism are you talking about?

Pearson:

Have you been on holiday for six months? Have you been away for six months?

Baker:

I am not quite sure what specific criticism you are referring to?

Pearson:

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... I think 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.

Baker:

Probably not.

Press officer (in a pleading voice):

Any more questions? Shall we wrap it there?

Pearson:

I can, you can't. You can't. Listen, you have been here often enough and for you to ask that question... you are either being very, very silly or you are being absolutely stupid. One of the two because for you to ask that question... I am sorry son, but you are daft.

Baker:

There hasn't been much criticism of your players all season.

Pearson:

No, you're wrong, you're wrong. You have been in here, you've been here, I know you have, so don't give that crap with me. Please don't give that crap with me. I will smile at you because I can afford to smile at you.

Now, do you want to ask a different question or do you want to ask it differently? Go on, ask it, ask it. Or are you not capable?

Baker:

I just don't know what you, erm…

Pearson:

You don't know what 'erm'?

Baker:

I don't know how you've taken that question...

Pearson:

Well you must be very stupid, I'm sorry. See ya.

At this point, Pearson walks out.

Baker:

Thanks Nigel, see you tomorrow.

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