Nigel Pearson in a new war of words: Full transcript as Leicester manager is asked if he is a 'bully' and 'paranoid'

Exchange came the day after the Foxes boss called a reporter an ostrich

Nigel Pearson came to blows with a Crystal Palace player during Leicester's 1-0 defeat at the weekend (Getty)

Nigel Pearson has been embroiled in another heated exchange with the media after apologising to the reporter who he called an 'ostrich' last night.

The Leicester City boss berated journalist Ian Baker for 'burying his head in the sand' over criticism of his squad.

But the BBC's Pat Murphy was on hand to question Pearson further, asking whether he is a 'bully' and 'paranoid' before querying if he has ever considered taking anger management courses.

The explosive affair took place at the King Power Stadium this afternoon ahead of the clash with Newcastle United at the weekend. The 51-year-old boss contained himself well in the spotlight, but his apology appears to have been overshadowed.

See below for a full transcript of the encounter...

Pat Murphy: Why can’t you be more specific about the criticisms your of your players. In the media, we’re a bit baffled by that because we think we’ve been very supportive of your players this season.

Nigel Pearson: Do you? Ok, that’s your opinion.

PM: I know but could you give us a specific example of disagreement.

NP: No, I don’t feel that I want to get into that sort of an argument with you.

PM: But you’re generalising about us..

NP: And you generalise about me, so there you go.

PM: I’m giving you specific examples, I know how supporting the media have been.

NP: Do you?

PM: Yeah, I can’t this, at all, that we’re after you.

NP: I didn’t say you were after me. I said there has been criticisms and I’ll stick up for my players. Always will do.

PM: Many, many people have been saying that things have not gone your way.

NP: I think you are looking through your side of the argument through rose-tinted spectacles.

PM: Well it takes two to tango..

NP: It does indeed.

PM: You were the one who had a go at one of our reports, in my opinion, unfairly.

NP: There you are. I think we’ve come into some criticism, and so have I, when I think it’s unfair.

PM: Surely it comes with the territory..

NP: Well there you go then, absolutely.

PM: When did it dawn on you to apologise? How soon afterwards?

NP: Again, I don’t think that’s something which I need to answer. I’ve apologised and I would, if it had been a more private thing, apologised one-to-one. But when it’s been in the public domain, in the public eye, I think it’s right to do it in the way I’ve done it.

PM: Have you talked to the owners at any stage?

NP: No.

PM: So it was your decision?

NP: Erm, yes.

PM: There is a bit of a charge sheet developing here about you this season.

NP: Yes, possibly. Is that why you’re here today?

PM: One of the reasons why I’m here today is, every week, you won’t do the kind of press conference which every other Premier League clubs do. Because if you did do it in separate sessions I would be here more often and your press officer has known that all season. I don’t see why I have to justify why I’m here, Nigel.

NP: Fine.

PM: The question stands..

NP: And I don’t see why I have to continue to take your one-sided view of this argument.

PM: You are in the public domain.

NP: Yeah, absolutely. I am.

PM: So the charge sheet, does that not bother you?

NP: Not particularly, no.

PM: You must sit back and think ‘oh I’ve got a few things wrong here’ either in public or with supporters. It’s the worse charge sheet so far this season in terms of that kind of behaviour.

NP: Ok.

PM: You’re in danger of appearing a bully.

NP: Am I?

PM: Yes – and paranoid.

NP: Paranoid? Ok. Anything else?

PM: Somebody’s got to tell you.

NP: Okay, you’re telling me.

PM: Has nobody ever told you before? Has nobody ever taken you to one side and said ‘Nigel, I think you’re out of order here?’

NP: If they have, then that’s my business.

PM: You see Leicester have got such a good reputation recently, so many people are saying ‘what a great fightback’. You could have been Manager of the Month. You still might be.

NP: I don’t see what your point is. What is your point with that? Are you suggesting that my job is to pander to your requirements?

PM: Course I’m not. What I would say is that a lot of money, given by the media, gives you a comfortable living and you could treat them with a bit more respect. Disagree with them by all means but don’t.. It didn’t need to be a big story, it’s a 24/7 story, but it’s all your doing.

PRESS OFFICER: Okay..

NP: No, I’m ok with it. You’ve (to PM) obviously been sent here to put your industry’s case forward.

PM: I don’t think I need to explain my motives but when a fellow reporter gets criticised by a manager I will defend the reporter, it’s my instinct just like you would defend a fellow manager.

NP: Yeah and I absolutely will always defend my players.

PM: I just think you’re effecting the reputation of Leicester City..

NP: Do you? Ok.

PM: I think Leicester have done tremendously well this season and I reckon everybody in this room..

NP: Do you not think I have a part in that?

PM: Of course you do, nobody doubts that. I’ve just said you could be Manager of the Month and deservedly so. It’s been a brilliant effort, everybody would be pleased for you and the club.

NP: Would they? Ok.

PM: I don’t know one Midlands reporter who would be displeased if Leicester stayed up.

NP: Ok. Is that the lecture over?

PM: No, it’s a comment, it’s an observation. If you don’t want to give us your views on it then fine.. Have you thought about taking anger management courses?

PRESS OFFICER tries to move things on.

PM: Have you? Course I haven’t, why should I? I’m not the one who makes a fool of himself in press conferences.

NP: Is that correct? So you’re suggesting I made a fool of myself?

PM: Well you’ve apologised..

NP: I think you’re looking in the wrong place. I think what you’ve got to understand is I do recognise when I have been out of order and I thought I was out of order last night. Hence my apology today.

PM: Which is more fulsome than the apology you gave to that supporter after the Liverpool game..

NP: I didn’t give an apology.

PM: I know you didn’t, that’s the point. I assume that quote was accurate?

NP: Which quote?

PM: Well I’m not going to repeat it. If it was (accurate) I think that was worth an apology to the supporter.

NP: Do you?

PM: Yeah

NP: Okay. Thank you for coming.