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Football is a sport where we have often seen emotion take the better of players as the drama unfolds on the pitch. With everyone aiming for glory and putting their best foot forward, no one wants to experience the bitter emotions that come with a loss. A stadium full of fans only adds to the pressure of playing at the elite level.
Yet amidst all of that, one needs to stay disciplined and has to stop himself from getting overwhelmed by the occasion. For footballers who are thrust into action, losing their cool is nothing new.
We have seen players make mad challenges in the heat of the moment and the spectators have accepted it as more or less normal.
However, what really entertains us is when the drama and emotions reach the touchline and become uncontrollable. Even though it's rare, instances of managers and head coaches losing their calm on the touchline aggitated by the proceedings on the pitch makes for great entertainment for the audience.
It is definitely not a pleasant sight for the supporters nor for the players of the club when they find their manager on the receiving end of harsh decisions. Many experienced customers of the game involved in management have been sent off from the touchline for expressing their disagreements and dissent.
Here are five top managers who have been sent off:
#5 David Moyes
It took just nine months for Manchester United to realize that replacing Sir Alex Ferguson was going to be tougher than they had expected. Even David Moyes, who established himself as the longest-serving manager in charge of a Premier League club just behind Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, couldn't do justice to the job.
After his largely unsuccessful stint with the Red Devils that lasted just 10 months, Moyes took over at a struggling Real Sociedad in 2014. His tenure started with sweet results against derby rivals Athletic Bilbao and a 1-0 win against Barcelona. The Scottish manager was doubted in Spain due to his lack of intent to learn Spanish and mix up with the culture of the club.
The La Liga club finished 12th in the 2014-15 season and just three months into the following season, Moyes was sacked. The most interesting moment from his time in Spain is in fact his sending off in the Copa del Rey last-16 match against Villarreal.
He was furious with an offside call and his attitude did not sit down well with the referee. However, he made light of the moment by showing impressive agility in climbing the fence, finding a seat to watch the rest of the game with spectators. The Scot also accepted crisps from a girl sitting in the stands.
#4 Diego Simeone
Some call him a sore loser when he rejects the gesture of shaking hands after the game is over, while others just call it pride. Diego Simeone is a fiery figure who carries his aggression on his sleeves. Atletico Madrid are seen as a reflection of Simeone's personality. Resilient, physical, stubborn and dirty if need be.
So it comes as no shock that the Argentine's outbursts are sometimes too much to handle. Of all the things referees are paid for, not hurting a manager's ego isn't one of them. The Atletico boss is known for investing his heart on the field and in his players and he takes a stand for them, whether they be wrong or right.
In a similar incident, when the La Liga giants faced Arsenal in the Europa League semi-final in 2018, Simeone was overcome by anger when Sime Vrsaljko was shown a red. His audacious protests saw him follow the Croatian defender as the coach too received his marching orders.
The Argentine apparently barked obscene phrases in Spanish at referee Clement Turpin. So 15 minutes into the game, Atletico found themselves a defender and a manager down in a crucial tie.
The tie was back in the balance after Antoine Griezmann netted a late equalizer. The Spanish team eventually won the semi-final thanks to a scoreline of 1-0 in their favor in the second leg.
#3 Antonio Conte
The Italian has been known to bring in a serious injection of passion and intensity in whichever dressing room he has walked into. Antonio Conte is not everyone's cup of tea and this is not restricted to only his players and the coaching staff.
Sometimes opposition players, managers and in some cases even match officials and referees have been on the receiving end of his aggression. This instance dates back to the start of 2021, when Conte's Inter Milan failed to match table toppers AC Milan's points tally due to a 0-0 draw vs Udinese.
The Italian was furious at the officials for adding just four minutes of injury time and in his judgement, the game deserved more. He protested against referee Fabio Maresca and even confronted him in a threatening manner post his sending off in the tunnel.
He was sent off in 2017, as the Chelsea manager against Swansea City for screaming at the fourth official, too.
#2 Jose Mourinho
Being the self-proclaimed 'Special One' is not everyone's cup of tea. A decorated CV, borderline-arrogant personality, his methods of "parking the bus" are some of the ways people like to describe Jose Mourinho. He's been to places and he's conquered titles, so like it or not, one has to accept his presence, even with a pinch of salt at times.
The Portuguese is blunt, outspoken and there's never been a dull moment in his life. However, those are also qualities that can land you in the badbooks of certain people and it's a real mess when these people are match officials and referees. In one of the most recent incidents, Mourinho was sent off for his new side AS Roma in a game against Napoli.
He was first booked for showing dissent in the 19th minute of the game and later breached his technical area exasperated, gesticulating uncontrollably. The Roma boss was even seen kicking an object which led to his sending off. He was unhappy with referee David Massa's performance on the night and gave a sarcastic thumbs up to the fourth official while walking off.
After the final whistle blew, even Napoli boss Luciano Spalleti had a sarcastic exchange with the referee and he was also shown a red. Mourinho had earlier received a touchline ban after being sent off as Man United boss in 2016. Just "Special One" things!
#1 Arsene Wenger
A professor is usually known for conducting himself with dignity and keeping his students in discipline, making sure they don't cross the line and maintain respect. However, 'Le Professeur' had moments in his esteemed Arsenal career where emotions got the better of him and his usually poised personality disappeared.
It hardly came as a shock when Arsene Wenger got all worked up against Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2009. Him and Sir Alex Fergusson had long sustained a high-quality rivalry between the two clubs and impulsive outbursts were a part of it.
The incident occurred more than a decade ago when Arsenal lost 2-1 to the Red Devils in 2009 and a late equalizer scored by the Gunners was disallowed. Wenger kicked a water bottle in frustration which was noticed by fourth official Lee Probert. He brought this to referee Mike Dean's attention and Dean issued a red.
What follows is still considered one of the most iconic moments in Premier League history. The Gunners boss stood on a platform in the stands at Old Trafford with his arms outstretched in a provocative gesture to Mike Dean. Man United fans took great pleasure in haranguing him before he was escorted to the tunnel.
It is worth noting though that Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the organization that appoints officials to top-flight games in England, apologized for the incident.
