Chris Coleman once threw a boot bin across the Coventry City dressing room after a defeat, according to Clinton Morrison. The former striker, who began his career at Coventry, named Coleman as the manager with the biggest temper he had played under, recalling the moment in an interview with Planet Football via BetSelect.co.uk.
Morrison described how Coleman, a physically imposing figure, lost his temper in the changing room following a disappointing result. “I remember once we were in the changing room. We’d lost the game, everyone was disappointed, a few comments were made, and I, as usual, would pipe up,” he said. “He picked up the big boot skip, which usually two or three people carry, and threw it across the changing room. Not in my direction, but I thought, wow, if he’s strong enough to lift that with all those boots in it, then he could easily pick me up. So I’d better be quiet and just sit in my corner.”
This explosive incident stood out for Morrison, even after playing under managers known for their fiery tempers, including Neil Warnock and Iain Dowie. He remarked, “Iain Dowie had a bit of a temper where he could lose it, and he’s one you wouldn’t go toe-to-toe with for sure. If you’re a player and you think you’re gonna go head-to-head with Iain Dowie, no way. But the one I would really say would be Chris Coleman.”
Morrison’s experience with managers who displayed strong personalities extended beyond club football. He was part of the Republic of Ireland squad during the 2002 World Cup, which became infamous for its internal tensions during the Saipan saga. His international manager Mick McCarthy was another figure Morrison respected for his no-nonsense approach. “If he says something, I do as I’m told; that is for sure. He won’t stand for any nonsense,” Morrison said. “I know where to push, but I also know where to stop, because these men are not ones you want to go toe-to-toe with.”
Coleman’s temper has not been widely publicised compared to some of his managerial contemporaries, but Morrison’s story reveals a more intense side during his time at Coventry City. The boot bin incident paints a vivid picture of a manager who was quick to react when things went wrong on the pitch.
Morrison’s comments also underline the broader culture among certain managers who use physical displays of anger to command respect or silence dissent in the dressing room. While Alex Ferguson remains the most famous for his “hairdryer treatment,” Coleman’s outburst shows that such reactions are not unique, even if less frequently reported.
By sharing these memories, Morrison offers a rare glimpse into the pressures and personalities behind the scenes in football management. The intensity of Coleman’s response to defeat at Coventry City remains a memorable moment for those who witnessed it.
According to Planet Football.
