IT’S a high-pressure job being a football manager – so it’s any wonder sometimes they lose control of their emotions.
David Moyes is the latest boss who cracked when the going got tough.
David Moyes lost his cool when he booted the ball at a ball boy during West Ham’s Europa League clash with FrankfurtThe referee sends Moyes off during the incident
His mad moment came when he booted a ball towards a ball boy in West Ham’s Europa League semi-final clash against Eintracht Frankfurt after growing frustrated at apparent time-wasting.
But the Scot isn’t the first manager to lose his cool, or do something just plane daft…
Jose Mourinho
During his Real Madrid years Mourinho was especially spiky.
Van Gaal’s reign at Manchester United was full of hilarious moments, but this might have been the best.
Forget singing ‘Louis van Gaal’s army!’ with fans outside the ground while signing autographs.
Collapsing to the ground in the technical area, like he did against Arsenal in 2016, had fans laughing in the crowd.
The Dutchman was trying to express his thoughts that Gunners stars were diving during the game – doing it in the most bonkers way.
Louis van Gaal throws himself to the floor to demonstrate what he thought Arsenal’s stars were doingCredit: Getty – Contributor
Arsene Wenger
The studious professor of the game, Wenger was far from a shrinking violet on the touchline.
Forget that educated look, this was a man who refused to go to the stands when he was sent off at Old Trafford and wouldn’t shake another manager’s hand.
But, the ultimate Wenger moment of anger came against foe Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.
After years of taunting, even being called a “voyeur” and a “specialist in failure” by the Portuguese, Wenger snapped in 2014 – shoving Mourinho after a disagreement on the sidelines.
Arsene Wenger reached boiling point with Jose Mourinho and gave him a shoveCredit: Getty
Alan Pardew
If ever there was a clearer indication that Alan Pardew liked a dance, this was it.
The setting was Wembley, the FA Cup final of 2016. His Crystal Palace had just taken the lead against Man Utd in the 78th minute through substitute James Puncheon, who was unlucky not to start the game.
Cue Pardew’s celebration – throwing shapes towards the camera with a rather smug look on his face.
“I regret the dance,” Pards later said. “My daughter had said, ‘There’s this new dance’, and that must have been in my head! I should never have done it – people remember it, unfortunately – but it was a brilliant moment for Punch, and I’d felt for him.”
Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew breaks into dance to celebate James Puncheon’s goalCredit: BBC
Nigel Pearson
Old school manager Nigel Pearson was a tough player for Sheffield Wednesday, and appears to be an even harder manager.
The former Leicester City gaffer bizarrely put his hands around the neck of Crystal Palace star James McArthur, after he crashed into him in the technical area in a clash in 2015.
There was a back story. McArthur had snubbed a move to Pearson’s Leicester side the previous summer.
When he was asked after why he wouldn’t let McArthur go from his stranglehold, Pearson told reporters: “Because he said something to me.”
When pushed for a more elaborate response, he added: “I don’t have to reveal anything, do I? I’m more than capable of looking after myself.”
Ex-Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson wraps his hands around James McArthur’s throatCredit: Getty – Contributor
Brian Clough
Another man capable of looking after himself, Cloughie famously wanted to take on Muhammad Ali.
But this time, it was some of his owns fans at Nottingham Forest who felt his fist, or to put it better – a clip round the ear.
It all unfolded after Forest beat QPR in the Littlewoods Cup in 1989 and supporters ran onto the pitch to celebrate.
Clough ran onto the turf himself and lamped a couple of pitch invaders as he displayed his displeasure at their actions.
A few days later, the fans came to the City Ground to meet the legendary coach who made the two young men kiss him as a gesture that he forgave them.
Brian Clough gives his fans a clip round the ear for invading the pitch at the City Ground
Phil Brown
No footballer likes a telling off. Especially when it’s done in plain sight in front of your own supporters.
Former Hull City boss Brown was livid with his players as they trailed 4-0 at the Eithad during the 2008-09 season.
So, he kept his players out on the pitch, marched them to the centre circle, and delivered his team-talk there.
“That was a difficult episode and he shouldn’t have done it,” then Hull star Geovanni later told FourFourTwo magazine.
“He exposed all the players and I couldn’t have disagreed more with that. I’m against anything that exposes the group but people make mistakes.”
Ex-Hull boss Phil Brown gives his players a half-time ticking off on the pitch at the Etihad StadiumCredit: PA:Press Association
