It seems almost like cruelty to interview someone just after a match. We’ve all said stupid things and made ridiculous predictions after matches.

We just can’t help it. Your emotions are running high and need to let off steam.

It doesn’t really matter. The only bit of ribbing you are going to get is from your mates down the pub, who will keep reminding you of your daft prediction for the rest of your life. But for players and coaches who make prize tits of themselves after a match, they not only have to deal with the reaction from their own club, but the whole nation.
Their comments will be played over and over again on Sky Sports or ESPN. Every word will be dissected by the broadsheet press, while the tabloids will probably just resort to turning their head into a root vegetable or something.

Then, of course, just when you thought everyone has forgotten about it, you get included in one of those annoying list shows, with some Celebrity Z-lister you’ve never heard of reading off some script about how funny he found it.

Then there’s the websites. Ahem.

But you can’t blame the media really. Although we hate to admit it, there is really nothing quite as entertaining as someone losing it in front of your eyes. In fact, sometimes post-match interviews can be sweeter than a left-foot volley or a hole-in-one.

You get the point. Enjoy.

19. Christian Dailly

Match: Scotland v Germany, 2004

Scotland’s Christian Dailly is not even being interviewed after Scotland’s defeat to Germany, but still manages to be the star of the show. Germans, cheats? Now that’s just out of order. Not very Christian at all.

18. Mike Atherton is a ‘buffoon’

Match: South Africa v England, World Cup 1996

Obviously still brittle after a dismal defeat to South Africa in the Cricket World Cup, England captain takes particular exception to a question posed by a Pakistani hack. “Will someone get rid of this buffoon?” was his response to the question. The journalist, Asghar Ali, eventually launched a defamation action against Atherton.

17. Chaney will kick your ass

Match: University of Massachusetts basketball team v Temple, 1994

After John Calipari‘s University of Massachusetts beat basketball rivals Temple, their celebrations were gate-crashed by a furious Temple coach John Chaney, who accused his counterpart of all kinds of things before resorting to threats. Very funny.

16. Ian Holloway takes home an ugly bird in a taxi or something

Match: QPR v Chesterfield, 2004

The QPR boss’s analogy to his side’s ugly win over Chesterfield almost makes sense. I think.

15. Greg Norman likes Greg Norman – a lot

Match: The Open, 1993

A modest Greg Norman reflects on a round of golf which secures him The Open title at Royal St George’s, Sandwich. “I am just in awe of myself the way I hit that ball,” he said. “It was perfect.” Subsequent evidence suggests Norman is far from a perfect golfer.

14. David Coulthard gets tough

Match: Australian Grand Prix, 2008

Annoyed at being shunted off the track by Felipe Massa, David Coulthard demands an apology or else he would start to punch his daylights out. Actually what he said was far worse, so feel free to listen. It’s hilarious. Taking on the Scot in a fight would be just madness, of course. Not even a jack hammer could break that jaw.

13. Mike Gatting 1986

Match: England v West Indies

The stupidest question ever asked at a press conference – and that’s saying something. After having his nose smashed to pieces by a Malcolm Marshall bouncer, Mike Gatting is asked where he got hit. Gatting even starts to point at his black and blue nose, before laughing.

12. Dennis Green loses match – and his mind

Match: Arizona Cardinals v Chicago Bears, 2006

What ever you do, don’t ask Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green about the Bears.

11. Joe Namath tries to hit on reporter

Match: New York Jets v the New England Patriots, 2003

Just brilliant.

10. Bob Knight uses his crystal, errr, glass

NCAA Tournament 1993

The best way to respond to a dumb question at press conference.

9. Walter Smith has Chick for breakfast

Match: Some Euro game Rangers have lost

Rangers boss Walter Smith does not understand Chick Young’s line of questioning.

8. Kevin Borseth explodes

Match: Michigan women’s basketball team v Wisconsin women’s basketball team

After seeing his team lose to Wisconsin, the coach of Michigan’s women’s basketball team lets his feelings known.

7. Jim Boeheim attacks student newspaper

Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim responds to accusations that star guard Gerry McNamara is overrated. Cue breakdown.

6. Murray Walker puts his finger on the problem

Adelaide Grand Prix, 1991

Speaks for itself.

5. Jim Mora goes nuts

Indianapolis Colts v San Francisco 49ers, 2001

Just don’t mention the play-offs to Jim Mora.

4. Mike Tyson loves kids –on his dinner plate

Match: Tyson v Lou Savarese, 2000

After knocking out the hapless Savarese, a maniacal Tyson turned his attentions to Lennox Lewis. “He’s no Alexander,” raged Mike. “I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah.”

3. McLean punches BBC’s journalist John Barnes

Match: Dundee United v Hearts, 2000

Following a 4-0 defeat to Hearts, Dundee United legend and chairman Jim McLean does not take too kindly to the question. He left BBC journalist John Barnes was left with a cut lip, and McLean was forced to resign.

2. Keegan would ‘love it’

Match: Leeds United v Newcastle, 1996

After throwing away a 12-point lead in the race for the Premiership title, Newcastle had to beat Leeds to keep the title race going into the final stages of the season. They did just that – despite championship rival Alex Ferguson’s attempt to gee up the Yorkshire club by suggesting teams fought harder against Manchester United than against Newcastle. While his mind games may not have had the desired affected on Leeds, it certainly had an effect on the Newcastle ‘Messiah’, who let the Red Devils coach know what he thought of his tactics. Pure TV gold.

1. Lee Elia makes friends with the Chicago Cubs fans

Chicago Cubs v LA Dodgers, 1983

After a loss to the LA Dodgers, coach Lee Elia sets new records with his response to the Cubs fans booing their own players. Just to give you a taste: “A f***in’ playground for the c***ksuckers.”

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