BBC reporter says he’s ‘really down’ after ‘hardest day of my career’ when Sutton United manager Steve Morison dismissed his questions in ‘unfriendly’ interview, with team bottom of the EFL

Sutton United manager Steve Morison vented his frustrations to a BBC reporter after his team’s League Two clash against Colchester United on Saturday.

Sutton tied the game 1-1 against their relegation rivals but missed a golden opportunity to secure what would have been a crucial three points when Harry Smith saw his late penalty saved by American stopper Owen Goodman.

The result left Sutton bottom of League Two and seven points adrift of safety, while it also meant Morison is still winless in nine games since taking over as manager in January.

And, when speaking to reporters after the game, the former Norwich City and Leeds striker appeared particularly testy with BBC London reporter Ahmed Nur.

After being asked his opinion on the game, Morison initially said, “I’m proud of the players.” They are working with all their hearts for the football club and that is all that can be asked of them. “We could have been here winning the game 2-1 and it’s a shame we didn’t.”

Nur then highlighted Sutton’s bad luck in missing out on the win and asked if there was any particular reason why Smith took the penalty.

Morison snapped: ‘No, that’s a very random question. Anyone could have taken them. Harry raised his hand and took the penalty and yeah, I don’t really understand the question, but it’s fine anyway, so let’s move on.’

Nur proceeded to ask Morison if his team could have done anything differently in the game.

Morison said: “Yes, put the ball in the back of the net,” before adding when pressed: “Yes, put it in the back of the net twice.” Not precisely.’

Nur highlighted that Sutton had now gone 12 games without keeping a clean sheet and asked the yellow coach if he was confident of being able to shore up his team’s defense.

Morison simply replied: ‘Um, Um, yeah. Stop conceding goals. I’m not going to start telling you what we do in training camp. So yes, stop conceding goals.

‘To be honest mate, the line of questioning is really strange and I don’t really understand it. I really don’t understand what you’re trying to get at.

“Harry Smith stepped up and took the penalty. He missed, that’s life. That happens, (if) you don’t win, don’t lose.

“If I could stop people from scoring goals, then I would be the coach of the best club in the world, because I think everyone concedes goals and yeah, I don’t know what you want me to say.”

Nur maintained his composure and focused the interview on Tuesday’s league match at Notts County.

Morison interrupted Nur mid-question and said, “Yes, we have to win.”

BBC coverage from London then returned to the studio, who asked Nur if he was okay, to which the reporter replied: “That was very difficult, I’ll be very honest with you.” That was really very difficult.

‘In terms of Steve’s expression, I wish you could see it. She clearly didn’t want to talk to anyone. I also don’t think she gave a very friendly response to the club’s media.

‘Frankly, it doesn’t look good. That’s not just because of Steve Morison. I have a lot of respect for him and understand that it is hard work and that he has a lot to do.

“But that was one of the hardest post-game interviews I’ve ever had to do in my career. “It was definitely one of the hardest, especially with Sutton as well.

Later that night, Nur also turned to X to reflect on the incident, saying, “That was the hardest day of my professional broadcasting career.

“Never had a manger treated or spoken to me like that. I appreciate that things don’t always go as planned, i.e. the outcome, but there’s no need to take it out on me. Really depressed after that.