I’m disappearing from twitter for a while. Need a break from the bile. Local prejudice just seems to bring out the worst in some people.
The truth is I don’t feel too bad for my age. I actually have a better shape now than I used to.
The World Cup is every four years, so it’s going to be a perennial problem.
That’s one of the magical things about the Olympics, Team GB will have someone challenging in a sport that we’ve never watched and all of a sudden it’ll be the biggest thing ever.
The whole kiss-and-tell thing is a negative approach that often happens in a World Cup. We will see negative stories about the players and it can affect their confidence and the overall performance of the national team on the pitch, let alone the bid to actually stage the competition.
There’s no in between-you’re either good or bad. We were in between.
We have got too many kids around the house to have a romantic meal at home. But Danielle is a fantastic cook. She does a brilliant lasagna, great roasts and a great chilli dish. She knows the way to my heart.
We are in the entertainment business and we all know if you are top of the tree you get the big money. Those of us who have been in it are the fortunate ones but we understand that we probably don’t deserve it as much as the nurses or teachers.
When you’re winning games, everyone thinks everything the manager says and does is fantastic. Then it goes the other way, and those earlier criticisms of players can backfire.
Speaking Spanish and Japanese has opened doors in my career and helped me bridge cultural differences, both in my personal and business life. During my football career I realised quickly what difference language skills can make.
I know I could never be in a pop band. I honestly have an appalling voice.
My eldest son George had acute myeloid leukaemia when he was a tiny baby, he is now 20 and doing very well. He is a mini-miracle in many ways.
My wife Danielle and I love travelling, different cultures and good weather.
If someone in the crowd spits at you, you have just got to swallow it.
A handball is when your hand touches the ball.
Ageing footballers never lose their commitment; they just lose their pace.
He’s got great credentials by winning the World Cup but he did it with Brazil – my granny could probably have managed Brazil to World Cup success.
My fiancee’s brother-in-law was recently paralysed in an accident and it really brought home the fact that thousands of young people live with spinal injuries. It’s an issue I wish had more coverage.
I just think to be a manager you’ve got to live and breathe and have this incredible enthusiasm for football, the whole thing. And while I love the game, and it’s been a large part of my life, it’s not the only thing in my life.
I was quite good at football once, although other than that my speciality would be maths. I’m great at sudokus and find all the spin-off games pretty easy too.