Nigel Pearson calls reporter an 'ostrich' then storms out of press conference

Nigel Pearson accused a journalist of being an ostrich and then stormed out of his press conference after an ugly verbal exchange on Wednesday night.

Following the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, Leicester City boss Pearson spoke about “the amount of criticism and negativity (his players) have had to endure over the course of the season”.

When asked by reporter Ian Baker of Wardles press agency to specify the criticism, Pearson responded in a strong manner.

Read the full transcript below of the exchange:

Pearson: “Have you been on holiday for six months? Have you? 

“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?

“Are you flexible enough to get your head in the sand? My suspicion would be no.

"I can. You can’t.

"You’ve been here often enough. To ask that question you’re being very, very silly or you’re being absolutely stupid. One of the two. For you to ask that question, I’m sorry son, but you are daft. 

“You’re wrong. You’ve been in here. I know you have, so don't give that **** with me. Please, don’t give that **** with me.

"I’ll smile at you because I can afford to smile at you.

"Now, do you want to ask a different question or do you want to ask it differently? Go on, ask it. Or are you not capable?” 

Baker: “I don’t know, erm…”

Pearson: “You don’t know what, erm..”

Baker: “I don’t know how you’ve taken that question?

Pearson: “Well then you must be very stupid. See ya.” *storms out* 

Baker later made fun of the incident on Twitter.

"If getting called an ostrich by Nigel Pearson is not a career highlight i don't know what is," he tweeted.

Hit the video at the top of the page to watch the bizarre and rather uncomfortable exchange in full.