The above, from August 2010, is the undisputed holy grail of post-match managerial quotes. While the reporter in question cowers like a scared monkey in a 1950s satellite experiment, no doubt he will go down in football journalism history in nailing down one of the best all-time manager meltdowns this side of Keegan’s “Love it if we beat them.”

As with any standard-setter, there will be imitators, and it’s clear some are still trying to get Redknapp to drop a few f-bombs by needling him on his favourite topic—player transfers. The latest instance came when a reporter actually asked if Dani Alves praising Gareth Bale earlier this week was an example of “tapping up.”

Redknapp responded more than diplomatically, perhaps sorry for the journalists who just asked the stupidest question in the entire world: “I haven’t seen what he said. I would like Lionel Messi. I will have a chat with the chairman about Lionel. I will see if he fancies coming to Tottenham!” Oh chuckles!

Anyway, take it away Sid Lowe:

Redknapp asked if Alves’s comments on Bale constitute tapping up? Oh for fuck’s sake.

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) April 20, 2012