Favourite manager characteristics

When we watch Premier League matches on the TV, we are always shown interviews with the managers after the games. With the race fourth and the title race still to be settled, we'll be hearing a lot more from them. But are they good characters?

Chelsea
Carlo Ancelotti
Every Chelsea boss since Mourinho has lived in his shadow, because the league has never experienced anyone like him. Big Phil came close with a loveable personality with his broken English, but the results didn't match. Ancelotti got off to a flyer when he made a joke about Terry going to Man City in his first press conference, but since his limited English hasn't created a great character for the British fans to see. I think I speak for most of us when I say the biggest talking point about Ancelotti's character is his People's Eyebrow.

Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson
S'Alex is a mixed bag. We always talk about his one-dimensional moaning about referees and added on time, which is a real pain. But on occasion you are surprised with an honest assessment of a poor Utd performance, or something like "typical Germans." The BBC do miss out without his input because no-one cares what Mike Phelan says.

Arsenal
Arsene Wenger
"I didn't see it," is the general script for Arsene Wenger comments on contentious issues post-match. But when asked about other things in football, such as Arsenal's lack of activity in the transfer market or Fabregas' possible move to Spain, Arsene shows his true colours and is entertaining. "Why would any player with a competitive edge want to go to a league where the team in third is 37 points behind the top two," was a classic. When he was sent to the stands against Man Utd in August and held his hands out in front of the crowd was another example that Wenger is a good character.

Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Redknapp
Old cod face can be quite one-dimensional in interviews but it was his constant use of "triffic" that inspired me to write this post. Every other player was "triffic" when Spurs win but he can be honest when they lose. He never has too much to say about any new players, just that "they're good players." Maybe it's his cheeky cockney accent why people like him.

Aston Villa
Martin O'Neill
The most energetic and enthusiastic manager in the league. On the touchline he gives it everything and is good box office with his jumping up and down. He gets so close to the action that he was even taken out by Nicolas Anelka this season. Post-match comments can be a bit tedious, especially when he is still banging on about the Carling Cup Final.


Manchester City
Roberto Mancini
The big talking point on Mancini in his scarf. Whether he wears it in the spring sunshine to look cool or to look like a true fan is still the burning question in English football. He's very fair in his interviews but stirs the pot every now and then with the likes of his Torres quotes, but he does have the money to back it up.

Liverpool
Rafael Benitez
The most unpredictable manager to listen to in the league. Fact. Rafa can be a press dream when he goes on his rants, but he gives the impression that he can be a nightmare to interview because he has his own agenda. But great quotes like guaranteeing fourth place when they are 7th with two games to go will live long in the memory.

There are a few more greats in the Premier League such as straight talking Mick McCarthy, playing with pride Avram and Tony Pulis with his cap. Who's your favourite?

JT