The Media Interview

English football manager Avram Grant gave a bizarre press conference after his Chelsea team’s win over Everton on April 17 - so bizarre that The Independent ran an almost complete transcript. I say ‘almost’ because it doesn’t give a full sense of the pauses and silences. Anyway, here’s part of the one-word wonder at work, not helped much by the reporters asking questions that lend themselves to one-word answers:

A deserved win Avram?

Yes

What particularly pleased you about the performance?

I’m pleased.

What in particular pleased you?

After an eight second delay: I don’t know.

Is it a relief to win here?

Yes.

You seem lost for words by the performance. Are you more satisfied with the performance or the victory?

Both.

You seem distracted. Do you have a problem?

No problem.

Is there an issue?

No. I’m ok. I have nothing to say.

Sometime later, the reporters walk right into one of the best cagey responses I’ve seen:

Is it [the one-word answers] a protest against newspapers?

No. Why?

Why else would you come in and refuse to answer our questions?

I answer every question.

For background and some commentary on the press conference, read this Independent article, which also includes a mini-history of recent bizarre press conferences in English football.