When Football Managers Go Mad

Joe Kinnear’s rant at the assembled media is just the latest example of the pressure in football.

A few years ago, whilst wearing a heart monitor, former Bolton manger Sam Allardyce got so frustrated with his side’s performance that he was on the verge of a heart attack. While that was a serious example of the stress coaches find themselves under, Kinnear’s outburst gives us the chance to reflect on some of the funnier moments…

Despite Kinnear’s best efforts, not to mention 52 expletives in five minutes, he’s not done enough to claim the title of maddest manager.

One of my personal favourites is ex-Leyton Orient boss John Sitton who during one half-time team talk threatened two players to a fight, telling them to “bring their dinner with them”, before sacking one of his defenders. Not substituting him, but dismissing him on the spot.

Also, who can forget legendary Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough slapping a fan who invaded the pitch.

But there’s no doubting the winner of this race. Who can forget another Newcastle manager’s famous rant in the build up to the climax of the Premiership title race back in 1996?

Kevin Keegan will probably have “I will love it” engraved on his tombstone after finally losing it after weeks of mind-games from his Manchester United counterpart, Alex Ferguson.

This piece of TV is not only great because of Keegan’s enthusiastic pointing, but also because it signalled the end of the title race. Fergie had got to Keegan, and the Newcastle manager had taken the bait hook, line and sinker.

Maybe Kinnear’s outburst signals another disappointing fate for the Magpies? They are a club in crisis and a mad manager is not top of the Geordie wish list right now. Three points at Everton would be nice though.

But does this all mean that there is too much pressure on managers? Or should they learn to take things with a pinch of salt? It is, after all, the media’s job to scrutinize.

Maybe we need Mr. Mourinho back, he never took himself too seriously…