General
park the bus
What does park the bus mean?
When a team commits all its players to defence to protect a lead or a draw, with little attacking intent.
"Once they went 1-0 up they parked the bus for the last half hour."
Origin
Coined by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, accusing Tottenham of 'bringing the bus' and leaving it in front of goal.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'park the bus' mean in football?
It means to defend ultra-defensively by putting almost every player behind the ball, focused on stopping goals rather than scoring.
Who invented the phrase 'park the bus'?
It is credited to Jose Mourinho, who used it while at Chelsea to describe Tottenham defending as if they had parked a bus in front of their goal.
Is parking the bus a good tactic?
It can be effective for protecting a lead or frustrating a stronger side, but it is often criticised as negative, defensive football.
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