Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAnother post-match interview featuring Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has gone viral across social media for all the wrong reasons.Once again, football fans have been treated to the painful spectacle of awkward silences, and a player doing everything he can to make life harder for the person holding the microphone.What started as a quirky, meme-worthy gimmick as a young player has officially crossed the line into something far more grating. Olises nonchalant media routine isnt clever or cool - it is rude, tiresome, and paints young footballers in a really poor light.Michael Olise's interview gimmick is a bad look - and it's getting oldFor a long time, I was willing to afford the Frenchman the benefit of the doubt. I even defended him.'Does he suffer from social anxiety? Is he just painfully shy?' It's not easy being a teenager thrust into the limelight, so it was a fair question to ask. You may like Michael Olise turns down at least �2 million every year so he can play in football boots that match his kit 'I think it's naughty' BBC pundit speaks out on ITV after England World Cup knockout match "Arsenal should sell world champions like Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino before even considering moving on Myles Lewis-Skelly hes that important" Henry Winter for FourFourTwo in Cardiff However, recent refcam footage shatters that narrative. On the pitch, Olise is the antithesis of stage-fright, his apparent communication issues deserting him when arguing the toss over a decision with a match official. He is vocal, animated, and - compared to his post-game media debriefs - uninhibited.This sullen, disengaged persona reserved exclusively for post-match broadcasters is a choice. The cold one-word responses and the air of casual arrogance suggest he knows precisely what hes doing with his non-answers.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Watch these viral clips closely and you will see broadcast journalists - often asking questions in a second or third language with commendable poise - maintaining total professionalism while receiving complete apathy in return.This isnt merely a case of one journalist instinctively standing up for another; it is a matter of fundamental workplace decency. Does Olise offer up the silent treatment to the staff at Bayern's training ground? To those who serve his meals, those on the security desk and reception?The golden rule ought to apply even in elite football: treat people as you would wish to be treated yourself. What to read next HENRY WINTER: 'Ollie Watkins transfer stand-off is a nuanced issue but refusing to play for Aston Villa was wrong' Vinicius Jr is staying at Real Madrid: and he's making a huge mistake HENRY WINTER: Martin Odegaard is having his Dennis Bergkamp moment at Arsenal. He's tougher, more determined and a real winner In an era where access to players is restricted to the absolute extreme, reporters are given minutes to glean something meaningful. Questions can admittedly feel repetitive or like lip-service to the interviewee, but that is the reality of heavily sanitised media zones. The least a player can do in return is show basic courtesy.Most professionals understand the implicit contract between sport and media - they remain cordial, polite, and cooperative, even if their answers are steeped in generic PR drivel and we, the journalists, go back to our editors with the currency: quotes.Olise, by contrast, treats the microphone like a burden and the person holding it with visible disdain, at least he does in this most recent clip.It also begs the question: why do Bayern Munichs press officers keep putting him in front of the cameras?How it works is, after a match, broadcasters, journalists and rights-holders will request to speak to specific players based on how the 90 minutes have unfolded. Ultimately though, it is the clubs communications department that decides whether to grant those requests or put forward someone else.Continuing to parade Olise in front of rights-holders when everyone knows he will deliberately stonewall the interviewer benefits nobody. It produces a deeply uncomfortable watch, disrespects broadcast partners, and damages the club's image.To be clear, the sports media landscape is hardly a saintly entity. Invasive headlines and unfair coverage in the past may well have left Olise feeling distrustful of reporters.If that is the case, then his cynicism towards the press is entirely understandable - Sir Alex Ferguson refused to engage with the BBC for years after deeming their questioning of fellow manager and son, Darren, not to his liking.But taking out those grievances on an innocent broadcast journalist who is simply doing their job after a match is misplaced anger. Being a world-class footballer comes with immense privilege, but talent, status and riches don't make you exempt from basic manners.TOPICSBayern MunichChampions LeagueBundesligaJoe DonnohueSocial Links NavigationSenior Digital WriterJoe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.
