Friday 30 December 2016 23:22, UK
As 2016 draws to a close, we look back on the best quotes from the world of football throughout the year...
I'VE LOST MY GLASSES
"One [pair] is in the museum of Borussia Dortmund because we won for the first time against Bayern Munich and Nuri Sahin broke my first glasses. Today it was Adam, it's broken. Usually I have a second [pair] but until now I couldn't find it because it's really difficult to look for glasses without glasses! I'm not sure if anyone [at the Anfield museum] will ask for them but I will keep them and we'll see." - Jurgen Klopp, January 2016
How do you celebrate a late Adam Lallana minute winner against Norwich? A team bundle of course, which also saw Klopp break his famous specs during the celebrations. As far as we know, the glasses didn't end up in the Anfield museum.
POINTING THE FINGER
"We don't speak about Wayne Rooney, you have criticised him. I don't - you! [pointing at journalist Neil Custis] You too, fat man!" - Louis van Gaal, January 2016
Former Manchester United manager Van Gaal had a rocky relationship with the media during his tenure and it was The Sun journalist Neil Custis who bore the brunt of his tirade after questioning Rooney following a 3-3 draw with Newcastle.
DILLY-DING DILLY-DONG
"Hey man, we are in Champions League dilly ding, dilly dong. Come on. You speak about blah, blah, blah but we are in Champions League. Come on man, fantastic. Terrific." - Claudio Ranieri, April 2016
It's now Ranieri's catchphrase and the Leicester fans have a song to go with it. The Italian's famous reaction to Champions League qualification has gone down in Leicester history.
HE ATE HIS TWIN
"The man is just unplayable and the header. Talking about the skill he's got, it's all right him being slaughtered week in, week out for his size but a lot of that is just power and weights. He does the odd bit I imagine. I heard he had a twin and he ate him but he's just brilliant." - Ian Holloway, May 2016
A classic from the former Sky Sports pundit, as then AFC Wimbledon striker Adebayo Akinfenwa headed his side into the Sky Bet League Two play-off final. The quip sent presenter Scott Minto into fits of laughter, and also garnered a great reaction from the self-confessed 'beast'.
HAIR PULLING CONTROVERSY
"When you look at what Huth is doing with Fellaini, that's a penalty. Shall I grab your hair? What is your reaction, when I grab your hair? Your hair is much shorter than Fellaini, but when I do that, what are you doing then? I think that's a normal reaction. I think the reaction of Fellaini is like a human being." - Van Gaal, May 2016
The former United boss was nothing if not protective of his players, and was quick to come to the defence of Marouane Fellaini after he had his famous hair pulled by Robert Huth before lashing out at the Leicester defender. Both were eventually banned for three games for the incident.
TERRY IN SPURS DIG
"I would like to wish Claudio Ranieri and Leicester congratulations from me. I am delighted they have won it and I am glad Tottenham haven't." - John Terry, May 2016
Chelsea's skipper praises Leicester and manager Claudio Ranieri during his speech on the final day of the season and he even had time for another dig at Spurs.
HODGSON RESIGNS
"I don't think it's necessary. I don't think I have anything to say to you any different to what you know already or what you have written already, but I wasn't forced to come here. I did so because I have never shirked a press conference. I have never run away from anybody. I have answered questions for four years." - Roy Hodgson, June 2016
After a shock loss to Iceland in the last 16 of the Euros, Hodgson stepped down as England boss in the post-match press conference and despite not fielding any questions, went in front of the media again the next day at the request of the FA.
MOURINHO v WENGER REIGNITED
"There are some managers that the last time they won a title was 10 years ago. Some of them the last time they won a title was never. The last time I won a title was one year ago, not 10 years ago or 15 years ago so if I have a lot to prove, imagine the others." - Jose Mourinho, July 2016
Mouruinho returned to the Premier League as Manchester United boss in the summer, and could not resist taking a dig at his fellow managers, with this particular gem from his first press conference a thinly veiled aim at his long time foe Arsene Wenger.
ZLATAN AT HIS BEST
"I won't be the King of Manchester, I will be the God of Manchester." - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, July 2016
Ibrahimovic was his usual confident self when responding to the former 'king' of Manchester, Eric Cantona, as the Frenchman welcomed his fellow striker to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.
PEP TO PROVE HIMSELF
"That's why I'm here. To prove myself. I was in Barcelona where I had absolutely everything, the best player ever and one team where most of the players grew up from the academy so I knew them. Bayern Munich, a club who have a lot of experience as well for many, many things.
"Here is another test for my career. It would've been comfortable to stay where I was, I feel that it is the right moment to come here and prove myself." - Pep Guardiola, July 2016
The summer was all about superstar managers arriving in the Premier League, with Guardiola arguably the biggest name to grace English shores as he looked to continue the success he had with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
BLUES THE BEST DRESSED
"In Italy I liked to say the manager is like a tailor. You have to best dress the team." - Antonio Cone, July 2016
Another new managerial arrival - this time at Chelsea - with the ever-charismatic Antonio Conte comparing his new Blues side to a fine Italian tailor in that the formation must fit the players rather than changing the players to fit a desired formation.
ALLARDYCE APPOINTED ENGLAND BOSS
"I am extremely honoured to be appointed England manager, especially as it is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted.
"For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football. I will do everything I can to help England do well and give our nation the success our fans deserve. Above all, we have to make the people and the whole country proud." - Sam Allardyce. July 2016
Ten years after missing out to Steve McClaren for the England job, Allardyce was finally given his dream role in July and sent out a rallying cry to improve the team after another disastrous European Championship. But it didn't quite go to plan...
ALLARDYCE SACKED
"Obviously I have to do this before I go away. On reflection it was a silly thing to do. I was trying to help someone out I knew for 30 years and unfortunately it was an error in judgement on my behalf. Entrapment has won on this occasion." - Allardyce, September 2016
After 67 days and one victory against Slovakia, Allardyce was relieved of his England duties after allegations he discussed how to circumvent rules on player transfers while speaking to undercover Daily Telegraph reporters.
YAYA AGENT SLAMS PEP
"What do I need to apologise for? Guardiola wins a few games and he thinks he is king. I live in Europe so I can say whatever I like and Guardiola can't stop me. I will apologise to Guardiola if he will apologise to Pellegrini for what he did to him. If you are a gentleman, this just does not happen.
"Guardiola also needs to apologise to Joe Hart. It is not normal and it is not right to come to England and to get rid of the few English players. When you come to a country you must respect the country and respect its people." - Dimitri Seluk, September 2016
Yaya Toure's agent Seluk took aim at Guardiola after his client was left out of the Champions League squad, leading to the manager leaving the midfielder out all together until there was an apology. Toure eventually did so in November, and scored twice on his return to the side against Crystal Palace.
KLOPP HEARTS FERGIE
"Is it allowed for me to say I like Alex Ferguson? I met him before I was Liverpool manager. It's nice for him to say something positive. He did what he had to do at Manchester United, which automatically isn't good for Liverpool. But it's better he says something positive than negative about Liverpool. But I'm sure he didn't go out of his house and think, 'I'll say some things about Liverpool', he was asked a question!" - Klopp, October 2016
Although the two clubs they represent are long and bitter rivals, there is a clear mutual respect between Klopp and Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson after the former manager named Liverpool as one of the five potential winners of the 2016/17 Premier League. Think a modern day Romero and Juliet.
THE IMPOSSIBLE JOB?
"I don't think any job is impossible. Some jobs are more difficult than others, more complex, and this is definitely one of those. I'm ready to embrace that." - Gareth Southgate, December 2016
After a tumultuous year for England that has seen three different managers take the reins, Southgate was eventually confirmed as permanent manager in December and is set to guide the team through World Cup qualification next year.
