Thursday 31 December 2015 16:29, UK
From an ostrich to the Normal One, Mike Smalling and betrayal, we look back at the best quotes from 2015...
KLOPP THE NORMAL ONE
"I am not going to call myself anything. I am a normal guy from the Black Forest. My mother is watching this press conference at home. If you are going to call me anything, call me the Normal One. I was a very average player and became a trainer in Germany with a special club."
~ Jurgen Klopp, October 2015 - at his first press conference as Liverpool manager
Klopp's arrival on Merseyside was one of the biggest stories of the year and the former Borussia Dortmund boss immediately grabbed the headlines.
PEARSON AND THE OSTRICH
"I think you must have had your head in the clouds, away or on holiday or reporting on a different team because if you don't know the answer to that question, then I think your question is absolutely unbelievable. The fact that you don't understand where I'm coming from. If you don't understand that question then I think you are an ostrich - your head must be in the sand. Is your head in the sand?"
~ Nigel Pearson, April 2015 - at a press conference following Leicester's defeat by Chelsea
Pearson launched a scathing attack on a reporter after being questioned about what the Leicester boss felt had been unfair criticism levelled at his team.
MOURINHO'S VERSION OF BORING
"Boring is 10 years without a title"
~ Jose Mourinho, April 2015 - speaking about Arsenal at a post-match press conference at the Emirates
After his soon-to-be-crowned champions were dubbed 'boring' after a 0-0 draw at Arsenal, Mourinho took a thinly-veiled dig at long-time rival Arsene Wenger.
DELPH'S U-TURN
"I'm aware there has been intense media speculation surrounding my future in the last 24 hours and I want to set the record straight. I'm not leaving. I'm staying at the football club and I can't wait for the start of the season and captaining this great football club."
~ Fabian Delph, July 2015 - in a statement to the Aston Villa website
Delph packed his things and headed to Manchester City six days later.
BERAHINO HITS OUT
"Sad how I can't say exactly how the club have treated me but I can officially say I will never play for Jeremy Peace."
~ Saido Berahino, September 2015 - tweeted on transfer deadline day after West Brom blocked his move to Spurs.
Berahino took to social media to vent his frustration, in particular at Baggies' chairman Peace.
LVG AND MIKE SMALLING
"The first captain is Wayne Rooney and the second captain is Michael Carrick. Last season, the third captain was Mr. Mike Smalling. Oh Chris, sorry!"
~ Louis Van Gaal, July 2015 - at a press conference ahead of their pre-season game with San Jose.
"And then David De Gea had saved us and after that, Michael Smalling had saved us."
~ LVG again, November 2015 - at a press conference after the game with CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.
They say never make the same mistake twice, but Van Gaal obviously didn't get the memo. The Manchester United manager has called his defender and occasional captain Chris Smalling by a different name on two separate occasions this year. Awkward.
MOURINHO VS MRS BENITEZ
"Real Madrid are the third of Jose Mourinho's old teams Rafa has coached. We tidy up his messes!"
~ Montserrat Seara, July 2015 - in an interview with magazine La Region
The wife of Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez spiced up the rivalry between her husband and Mourinho with this less-than-complimentary statement.
There was, of course, a riposte...
"The lady is a bit confused, with all respect. I'm not laughing, because her husband went to Chelsea to replace Roberto Di Matteo and he went to Real Madrid and replaced Carlo Ancelotti. The only club where her husband replaced me was at Inter Milan, where in six months he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time. And for her to think about me and to speak about me, I think the lady needs to occupy her time and if she takes care of her husband's diet she will have less time to speak about me."
~ Jose Mourinho, July 2015 - at a press conference following Chelsea's pre-season win over Barcelona
CARVER'S SELF BELIEF
"I still think I'm the best coach in the Premier League."
~ John Carver, May 2015 - at a pre-match press conference as Newcastle manager
After losing eight matches in a row, Carver was adamant he remained the right man for the job. He did eventually steer the Magpies to safety.
GERRARD'S APOLOGY
"I've got to accept it, I've let my team-mates, manager and - more importantly - the supporters down."
~ Steven Gerrard, March 2015 - speaking to Sky Sports after receiving a red card against Manchester United
With his illustrious Liverpool career coming to a close, Gerrard was desperate to make an impression after coming on as a substitute against Manchester United in March. Unfortunately, he saw red after just 38 seconds for a stamp on Ander Herrera. It was a moment of madness Gerrard was quick to acknowledge.
TERRY SLAMS SAVAGE
"When players have not had a career, played at a really bad level... Robbie Savage being one. He's dug me out a couple of times. You take it as a footballer, as an individual. I'll take it from the Rios, Carraghers and Nevilles. All day long. From others? Nah."
~ John Terry, November 2015 - speaking ahead of a Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev
Chelsea's struggles have drawn criticism from all quarters. But for Terry, some opinions are worth more than others.
LVG'S RED ARMY
"The fans are shouting every week 'Louis van Gaal's army!'"
~ Louis van Gaal, September 2015
LVG insists Manchester United's supporters are still behind him… and performs an impressive rendition of their song.
GERRARD'S FAREWELL
"I have been dreading this moment. I'm going to miss it so much. I've loved every minute. And I'm absolutely devastated I won't play in front of these fans again."
~ Steven Gerrard, May 2015 - The Liverpool legend bids farewell after his final game for the club
Gerrard made an emotional departure from Liverpool this summer to continue his career in the MLS.
MOURINHO BETRAYED
"It's a big frustration to accept because I feel like my work was betrayed."
~ Jose Mourinho, December 2015 - speaking after losing what proved to be his final game in charge of Chelsea to Leicester City
With his time as Chelsea boss running out, Mourinho delivered a public critique of his players' efforts and failure to stick to his gameplan.
LVG WANTS APOLOGY
"Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? That's what I am wondering. I think I was already sacked...do you think I want to talk with the media now? I am here only because of the Premier League rules. I have to talk with you. Merry Christmas. Enjoy the wine and a mince pie. Goodbye."
~ Louis van Gaal, December 2015 - speaking in his pre-match press conference before playing Stoke, van Gaal responded to newspaper speculation that Jose Mourinho was being lined up to replace him.
In a tense exchange that lasted less than five minutes and included just three questions, the United boss hit back at reports that his future at the club was in doubt.
