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Antonio Conte's Chelsea press conference blooper and other media mishaps

Sam Elliott
Antonio Conte during a recent Chelsea press conference.
Antonio Conte during a recent Chelsea press conference.

She only wanted to know what time he would be home and what they were doing for dinner.

But Antonio Conte’s unwitting wife Elisabetta became a social media hit after the Chelsea boss’ phone rung mid-press conference on Wednesday.

We’ve seen managers answers reporters’ mobiles for them before – and of course have a moan when they are distracted by the sound of them going off.

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But when it comes to the best media briefing interruptions, they don’t even scratch the surface.

We take a look back at some of football’s finest disturbances when managers are just trying to talk about the game.

Making a scene: Simon Jordan is not an owner who takes kindly to people jumping ship
Making a scene: Simon Jordan is not an owner who takes kindly to people jumping ship

Iain Dowie

Simon Jordan does love a good drama. Unhappy that his manager left Crystal Palace, the bleached-blonde Eagles owner got his claws out and one of his heavies in to storm Iain Dowie’s Charlton Athletic unveiling, serving him with a writ saying he lied about his reasons for leaving Selhurst Park.

Mario Balotelli

A footballer in a press conference is common. We like their views, especially the big names. Under normal circumstance the chance to quiz Mario Balotelli at a club like Inter Milan would be welcomed. Problem is, he didn’t play for Inter Milan. He also wasn’t about to sign. Gatecrashing new manager Andrea Stramaccioni’s introduction, nobody knew why he turned up and by the look of the boss’ face he wished someone would have locked the door.

The good old days: Diego Costa and his manger used to be good friends. Not any more!
The good old days: Diego Costa and his manger used to be good friends. Not any more!

Diego Costa and David Luiz

Aww. Remember when they all got along? As Chelsea won the Premier League at West Brom last year, Diego Costa and David Luiz stormed manager Antonio Conte’s post-match presser. Costa ripped a fire extinguisher from the wall and the man-child started threatening everyone within earshot. Playful Luiz then begun grilling his manager with tough questions. The only thing being fired these days are shots.

Sepp Blatter

It’s all about the money: Sepp Blatter came under attack from dollar bills
It’s all about the money: Sepp Blatter came under attack from dollar bills

Brits don’t get everything right, but comedy? The rest of the world, please step aside. One of our own Lee Nelson, real name Simon Brodkin, somehow gained entry to FIFA HQ in Zurich and just as the crisis-hit football lord was addressing the press up he stood. The comedian picked his moment and showered Blatter with banknotes. The pictures when global. As symbolic and as it was brilliant.

Alan Pardew

It’s a Pard knock life: Alan Pardew had some good moments at Newcastle. Not so much at West Brom
It’s a Pard knock life: Alan Pardew had some good moments at Newcastle. Not so much at West Brom

He hasn’t had much success against Manchester City over the years, but Alan Pardew being Alan Pardew was preparing to bask in the glory of his Newcastle’s 2-0 League Cup win at the Etihad three years ago. As he was getting into the flow about what he did right, a public service announcement was played into the media suite warning everyone to guard against Ebola!

Paulo Fonseca

You’ve just beaten Manchester City in the Champions League. You could be forgiven for sneaking a beer into the press conference, but a Zorro mask and hat? Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca went all black-clad vigilante to “keep a promise” as the club qualified for the last 16.