2015 in quotes: Jose Mourinho, Joe Root, Lewis Hamilton and more...
Wednesday 30 December 2015 09:34, UK
Slanging matches, critical comments and funny one-liners all feature in the pick of the sporting quotes from 2015...
FOOTBALL
"Boring is 10 years without a title" ~ Jose Mourinho, April 2015 - speaking about Arsenal at a post-match press conference at the Emirates
"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
F1
"It's just now interesting to hear from you, Lewis, that you were just thinking about yourself with the pace in front, and necessarily that was compromising my race." ~ Nico Rosberg, April 2015 - accusing race winner Lewis Hamilton of driving too slowly in the Chinese GP
"Nico drove really well today. No mistakes, no gusts of wind." ~ Lewis Hamilton, November 2015 - having a dig at Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg after the German's victory in the Mexican GP a week on from Rosberg blaming "a gust of wind" for his late error in the US GP
CRICKET
"It's the sort of score you expect to see at the Under-9s on the village green." ~ Sir Ian Botham, August 2015 - reflecting on Australia being bowled out for 60 on the opening morning at Trent Bridge
"It took me a while to discover I'd been caught out by the 'phantom snipper', who had sneakily cut holes in my socks so big that both my feet went straight through. He didn't spare my boxers, either." Joe Root, August 2015 - describing how his post-Ashes celebrations didn't go entirely to plan.
BOXING
"I'm world champion, I'm calling him out, we want the fight, there's a world title and a bagful of money and it doesn't make sense that he's fighting this guy who's bringing nothing to the table." ~ Kell Brook, April 2015 - taking a swipe at Amir Khan, who turned to Chris Algieri after missing out on Mayweather and Pacquiao
"There's nothing left to prove in the sport of boxing." ~ Floyd Mayweather, September 2015 - talking about the possibility of breaking Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record
GOLF
"This has been the most unpleasant golf tournament I've seen in my life. I mean the man who designed this golf course had to have one leg shorter than the other." Gary Player, June 2015 - clearly wasn't a fan of Chambers Bay, the venue for the US Open
"I don't have an answer for that. Neither does my surgeon, or my physios. There is no timetable." ~ Tiger Woods, December 2015 - giving a bleak outlook on his golfing future
RUGBY UNION
"We play a similar style of rugby to England but we have better-looking players." ~ Schalk Brits, October 2015 - urging England fans to get behind the Springboks after the hosts crashed out of the World Cup.
"Why not try and make a young fella's night? Hopefully, he'll remember it for a while. I know he will appreciate it, and when he gets older he will be telling kids. ~ Sonny Bill Williams, November 2015 - explaining why he gave his World Cup medal to schoolboy Charlie Line at Twickenham
RUGBY LEAGUE
"I think I'm second favourite now to get the sack." ~ Lee Radford, February 2015 - speaking after Hull FC produced an unexpected win at Huddersfield in the opening round of the Super League season
"That was pathetic and a shower of s**t." ~ Paul Anderson, July 2015 - the Huddersfield coach wasn't impressed with how his side saw off Dewsbury
DARTS
"Grow up you big baby! It's about entertaining a crowd." ~ Peter Wright, March 2015 - Snakebite reacting to comments made by Michael van Gerwen after an ill-tempered 6-6 draw in Exeter
"I don't really get on with Phil [Taylor]. What he's done for darts is just tremendous. Sixteen times world champion just speaks for itself, but unfortunately as a person I don't get on with him." ~ Andy Fordham, November 2015 - ruling out a friendly reunion with Phil Taylor at the Grand Slam of Darts
NFL
"Everybody has a preference. Some guys like them round. Some guys like them thin. Some guys like them tacky. Some guys like them brand new. Some guys like old balls." ~ Tom Brady, February 2015 - expressing his ball preference during 'Deflategate'
"The man knew what he was doing .He knew what he was doing. But that's no Joker. That's no Joker. That's Harvey Dent. That's Two-Face." ~ Josh Norman, December 2015 - the Carolina Panther turning to Gotham for inspiration after a bruising, 60-minute tussle with NY Giants star receiver Odell Beckham Jr
CYCLING
"That's the closest I'll ever come to knowing what it's like to have a baby. It was just torture" - Sir Bradley Wiggins, June 2015 - reflecting on his successful UCI Hour Record attempt
"I was on my absolute limits. I felt like I was dying a thousand deaths up Alpe d'Huez today" - Chris Froome, July 2015 - speaking after holding off a barrage of attacks from Nairo Quintana on stage 20 to all but seal Tour de France victory
