Most iconic quotes from Premier League managers

"Some people think football is a matter of life or death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that".

Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly's famous declaration of the true importance of football in the lives of people all across the globe now represents one of the most iconic quotes in the history of the sport.

Following in the footsteps of charismatic Scot Shankly, English football has continued to be defined by quick-witted, colourful characters in managerial dugouts up and down the country.

We examine the most memorable managerial quotes since the dawn of the Premier League back in 1992.

• Jose Mourinho

"Please do not call me arrogant because what I say is true. I'm European champion, I'm not one out of the bottle, I think I'm a Special One" (2004).

- The smooth-talking Jose Mourinho's first public press conference as Chelsea manager in 2004 was nothing short of box office.

"I prefer really not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble" (2014).

- It's safe to say Mourinho was not impressed by referee Chris Foy's performance in a 1-0 defeat for Chelsea against Aston Villa in the Premier League back in 2014.

"He is a specialist in failure" (2014).

- Mourinho snapped back at Arsenal's Arsene Wenger after the Frenchman accused him of being afraid of failure back in 2014.

• Kevin Keegan

"I will love it if we beat them, love it!" (1996)

- One of the most famous managerial rants in Premier League history - to say former Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan was rattled by Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson in the race for the title in 1995/96 would be an understatement.

• Rafa Benitez

"I want to talk about facts" (2009).

- Another Premier League manager to have succumbed to the mind games of the inimitable Sir Alex, ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez launched an incredible tirade against the Scot as the Reds battled their great rivals for the league title in 2008/09.

• Sir Alex Ferguson

"It's getting tickly now - squeaky bum time, I call it" (2003).

- The master of getting under the skin of his managerial adversaries amidst a Premier League title race, Sir Alex coined a new footballing phrase as Man Utd went toe-to-toe with Arsenal in 2002/03.

• Claudio Ranieri

"From the beginning when something was wrong I've been saying 'Dilly-ding dilly-dong, wake up, wake up!" (2015)

- A loveable grandfather type figure in the Premier League, Italian Claudio Ranieri gave his players and staff bells as a Christmas present as a reminder for them to maintain their concentration levels during training sessions.

• Louis van Gaal

"The fans are shouting every week - Louis van Gaal's army!" (2016)

- Always value for a humorous quip or two during press conferences, eccentric Dutchman Louis van Gaal let out a memorable battle-cry during a press conference as Man Utd boss in 2016.

• Sam Allardyce

"He can't take it, can he?!" (2014)

- Big Sam Allardyce fired back at Chelsea's Jose Mourinho in comedic fashion after the Portuguese accused the West Ham manager's side of playing 'football from the 19th century' in a 0-0 draw in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge in 2014.

• Nigel Pearson

"If you don't know the answer to that question then I think you are an ostrich. Your head must be in the sand" (2015).

- One of the more bizarre outbursts from a managerial press conference in Premier League history, Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson became irate in an exchange with a reporter following a defeat for the Foxes against Chelsea in 2015.