Park the Bus

When a team “parks the bus,” it means they’re defending with nearly every player behind the ball — determined to block shots, clear danger, and hang on to their result.

Example:

“Everton are parking the bus now” means they’ve stopped attacking and are simply trying to survive until full time.

The phrase became famous when José Mourinho once joked that Tottenham had “parked the bus in front of the goal.” It stuck — and now every fan uses it.

Why It Matters

Sometimes it’s smart tactics. Sometimes it’s desperation. Either way, it’s pure football drama: wave after wave of attack against a wall of defenders.

Everyday Comparison (U.S. Sports)

It’s like a basketball team running out the clock or a football team “taking a knee” — but stretched out over ten nerve-wracking minutes.