Nigel Pearson has apologised after calling a journalist an ostrich in a bizarre rant. The Leicester City manager directed the comment at a reporter after being asked to clarify his complaints over criticism his players have received this season.
Pearson called Ian Baker, who works for the Wardles agency, an ostrich because his head “must be in the sand” for not understanding Pearson’s viewpoint following Leicester’s 3-1 defeat by Chelsea on Wednesday. Pearson started Thursday’s press conference, to preview Saturday’s game against Newcastle, by apologising to Baker.
He said: “Ian, before we start, apologies for last night. I think it’s right to do it in front of the cameras rather than pulling you to one side so I apologise for that and I hope it doesn’t ruin our relationship.
“I react, that’s it. I think it’s emotion as much as anything, which again I am not afraid of. I’m not afraid of showing my emotions. I get labelled with certain titles which is people’s prerogative to say what they want about me and I’m happy to fight my own corner.
I have accepted the apology. Fair play to him for being big enough to apologise. #lcfc
— Ian Baker (@ianbakersport) April 30, 2015
“But I will also accept when I have stepped out of line, which is why Ian’s due an apology, it’s the right thing for me to do today. I wasn’t happy with losing the game, there we are. I don’t like losing. I felt for the players, they worked exceptionally hard again and tried to keep the run [of four straight wins] going.
“It’s only right for me to portray what I want to portray. I’m not trying to win any popularity contests and I don’t think I’ll be in the running for that.”
Pearson, however, dismissed suggestions his actions and comments over the season have harmed his reputation. He swore at a journalist last month, verbally clashed with a fan in December and was involved in a pitchside incident with Crystal Palace’s James McArthur in February.
At Thursday’s press conference, the BBC’s Pat Murphy defended the media for how they have covered Leicester this season and claimed Pearson could be April’s manager of the month – but said his latest outburst has damaged him.
Pearson responded: “Are you suggesting my job is to pander to your requirements? Are you suggesting I made a fool of myself? I think you are looking in the wrong place there. I think what you’ve got to understand is I do recognise when I have been out of order and I thought I was out of order last night, hence my apology today.”
Murphy also claimed Pearson appeared close to being paranoid and a bully but the manager remained unconcerned even after the journalist said Leicester had been unlucky. Pearson said: “I think you are looking at your side of the argument with rose-coloured spectacles – and I’m not going to get into a discussion with you today.”
Pearson also refused to elaborate on his stance over the criticism of his players. “I said there have been criticisms and I’ll stick up for my players, I always will do,” he said. “I have apologised and if it had been a more private thing I’d have apologised one-to-one but when it’s been in the public domain, in the public eye, it is right to do it the way I have done it.”
Meanwhile, the goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel defended Pearson and insisted the 51-year-old was the best manager he had played under. “What happens outside our dressing room or our club doesn’t really take up too much conversation time. We know what’s going on. We have huge respect for our manager,” he told TalkSport.
“We’re happy he’s our manager and however he conducts himself is completely up to him. I quite enjoy watching his press conferences. It’s no problem.
“He’s got the full range but you need that as a manger. You need to know when to shout and when to give a stern talking to someone, or when to put an arm round someone. He’s the best manager I’ve ever played under, without question. His man-management skills in that respect are very good.”
