Pressure behind Nigel Pearson's ostrich rant, says Stuart Pearce

Former Manchester City and Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce admits he was surprised by Nigel Pearson’s bizarre ostrich rant during his post-match press conference after Leicester’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Pearson appeared to take objection to a question from journalist Ian Baker when he was asked to expand on the ‘criticism and negativity’ he believes his players have had to endure this season.

Pearson later called the journalist 'daft' and an 'ostrich with his head buried in the sand' before storming out of the room, bringing his press conference to an abrupt end.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

“It surprised me a little bit with Nigel,” Pearce told The Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ.

“I worked with Nigel with the England U21s. He worked alongside me as a coach and he’s got a real fun-loving sense of humour. He’s a funny fella. He is a lovely bloke.

“A couple of times this season I have seen Nigel react in this way in press conferences and it’s surprised me because it’s not the Nigel I know.

“He might look back and be a bit disappointed with that possibly but the pressure of the game pushes you in that direction sometimes.”

He might look back and be a bit disappointed with that possibly but the pressure of the game pushes you in that direction sometimes.

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Ray Wilkins was also a guest on The Morning View and he agreed Pearson may have a few regrets about his behaviour in retrospect.

“I think when he looks back on it today Nigel probably realises he could have handled the situation a little bit better," he said.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce also spoke out in defence of Pearson, highlighting the huge amount of pressure managers can be under at the wrong end of the Premier League.

"When you are down there dealing with the pressures that come upon in terms of staying in the Premier League, I think it is a huge pressure for everybody to continue to work under that situation and come through it," he said.

"What surprises me is this condescending attitude about what should happen to Nigel that I have been hearing about this morning. People have been talking about bullying and stuff like that - what a load of rubbish. It's an outburst.

"Simple as that - plain and simple."

Newcastle manager John Carver, who was at Leicester's game with Chelsea, also came to Pearson's defence.

“Nigel is exactly the same as me, he wears his heart on his sleeve and I can understand why he loses his temper with journalists because it is sometimes frustrating,” he said.

Rangers boss Stuart McCall was keen to express his sympathy for Pearson.

“We have got a responsibility to answer questions, just like you have got a responsibility to ask sensible questions,” said McCall.

“Obviously you want to dig deep but if you get the odd, really stupid question, there’s nothing wrong with giving a smart answer back.”