The likes of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte have been embroiled in wars of words this season, but they are by no means the first to lose their temper
GettyAntonio Conte
Having seen his Chelsea side branded “anti-football” and “embarrassing” by Sky Sports duo Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in March 2018, the fiery Italian hit back by saying: “The pundit has to use the head to understand when you speak about tactics. I think you must have knowledge to speak about tactics and not only to speak in a stupid way. You have to accept every criticism but I am not so stupid to play against Manchester City open and to lose 3-0 or 4-0.”
AdvertisementJose Mourinho
Amid the widespread questioning of Paul Pogba’s form and best position at Manchester United, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness wrote in a newspaper column that a man benched by Mourinho had been playing “like a schoolboy running after the ball in the playground”. Unsurprisingly, the prickly Portuguese took a cheeky dig back at the former Liverpool midfielder, saying: "You ask Graeme Souness. Paul Souness comments and is responsible for his comments, not me."
Getty ImagesMario Balotelli
In 2014, ‘Super Mario’ was hauled off by then AC Milan manager Clarence Seedorf during a meeting with Roma. Balotelli was not too happy at being replaced and decided to aim his frustration in the direction of Sky Sport Italia pundits afterwards. He said: “I didn't understand my substitution. But given that in the studio they say that I'm not a top player, it will have been for that. You always talk about me. When Milan win Mario’s great, when Milan lose it’s all Mario’s fault. I don’t need your criticism, I make my own criticism. You always talk and talk, say I’m precious to Italian football, but there’s no point to saying these things. No point.”
John Terry
Chelsea were struggling in November 2015, perched 15th in the Premier League, and nobody was spared the finger of blame, not even legendary skipper John Terry. The Blues icon was prepared to accept criticism from most pundits, but not former Wales international Robbie Savage. Terry said: “I’ve come under criticism, individually, from certain players and individuals, players I’ve looked up to and played alongside. I’ve taken that on the chin: Rio, Carra, Neville, the very best I’ve come up against in the game. I take that on the chin. When others speak, maybe I don’t take it on the chin. When players have not had a career, played at a really bad level in their career … Robbie Savage being one. He’s dug me out a couple of times. You take it as a footballer, as an individual. I’ll take it from the Rios, Carraghers and Neville. All day long. From others? Nah.”