Get out of my press conference!
Luis Felipe Scolari has had a long, well-traveled coaching career. The former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea manager has also helmed clubs in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Japan, and recently in Uzbekistan, where he was the highest paid manager in the world, earning $18M for a lackluster season with Uzbek champs Bunyodkor.
Big Phil has earned a reputation for histrionics on the sidelines and a fiery temper. That temper flared up in a press conference after his club drew 1-1 with Atlético Mineiro.
When questioned about his decision to start Chilean midfielder Jorge “Mago” Valdivia, who has suffered a series of muscle injuries lately and had to be substituted in the 18th minute, Felipão interrupted the journalist, shaking his head and saying, “No, no, no, no. You guys are a real pain. He played 18 minutes, that’s fine by me. Go interview the team doctor.”
Then he went on the offensive: “You guys are all just clowning around…” Pointing to one TV journalist in particular, he added, “and you’re one of the biggest clowns.”
Scolari was also upset with the match referee for reversing a penalty call against Mineiro after consulting with his assistant.
“We were told that either the referee or the linesman received information by radio from someone off the pitch [watching a video replay]. We’re going to investigate and find out if it was someone from radio or television. This isn’t the first time Palmeiras gets a penalty called back.”
That’s a pretty strong accusation to make against the officiating crew. Here’s the video of his response to the press about Valdivia, in case you speak Portuguese or you just want to watch his facial expressions. I wish he had thrown a chair or something, but he was mostly just irritated. I think he let loose a few colorful expressions too, but my Brazilian vernacular is not so good.
Meltdowns that involve funny facial expressions or chair throwing always are must see TV. Bobby Knight was truly a genius and ahead of his time in the tantrum department; the rest of these guys are still trying to catch up.
I watched it without the sound and like to imagine he was complaining that someone finished off the last of the milk, and he couldn’t have his morning Grape Nuts.
@OM – if you’re gonna be on the receiving end of tantrum, why not just lay back and enjoy it?