“It’s important that top clubs don’t lose sight of the fact that it’s the English Premier League and English players should be involved.”

We struggled with it at Newcastle and we were not alone in that among the English clubs.

If you’ve seen the Harry Potter films, we use the term ‘dementors’ – people who can draw the life out of you in terms of your energy.

I didn’t listen to half of the criticism I received. I just didn’t let it enter my brain.

You have to have tactical plans to get a deal over the line.

You feel vulnerable when you hear things that are not being said.

I would not want to be the Europa League in the current format, that’s for sure.

You always have to have faith in your own abilities and that has to be evident to your players.

You are bound to want a player at some stage who is represented by this guy and you will have to try to work around the personality of the agent.

I don’t like people who drain my time and energy.

You tend to work out what makes them tick, what they respond to.

The one thing I hate about other managers is waffle that is nowhere near the truth. I would never conduct myself like that.

I have had situations in the past when you are close to signing a player and the money involved switches from euros to pounds to dollars. It is a difficult process, but one we have to work with.

Amid all the negativity at Newcastle, we achieved some great things.

When you are in charge of a top club, where expectations are high you have to deal with that.

Thursday night games are difficult to contend with given the level of physicality we deal with in the Premier League.

These difficult periods come and you have to accept that.

That doesn’t happen with a lot of genres. If you go to a hip-hop club, it’s not like when one songs comes on that everyone suddenly loves each other.

Book clubs are the best thing that has happened to the world of publishing.

I feel like it has been lost in R&B and a lot of people are scared to talk about their vulnerabilities and insecurities. They want to keep it up and in the club.

I’d leave London only for Man United, the club of my dreams.

I love that team, I wear their symbol around my neck on a chain – I’ve always had a soft spot for this little club.

You can change your spouse, your friends but never your club.

You’re 28, why are you going to goth clubs? Do what I do, sit at home & wait to die. You don’t have to kill yourself, you’re just waiting.

Mile high club, it’s got its ups and downs.