“Louis van Gaal is one of the most successful managers in the world.”

In England, football is a big thing to talk about, but Liverpool, it’s a special place. You feel it when you make your first step.

In England, you have stadiums in the middle of the city.

Derbies are always difficult to play because you have to handle the pressure. There’s no advantage or disadvantage for either side.

If you watch me during the game, I celebrate when we press the ball and it goes out.

The English game is not faster than the German game.

For me, it’s enough that I have the first and last word.

I don’t think I’m an unlucky person.

It needs time. Nobody wants to hear it, but that’s the truth: if you want to have success in the future, you have to be ready to work now.

I always thought about working in England because of the kind of football, the intensity of football. Liverpool was first choice.

Bayern want a decade of success like Barca. That’s OK if you have the money because it increases the possibility of success. But it’s not guaranteed.

The intensity of the football and how the people live football in Liverpool – it is not a usual.

I am a normal guy from the Black Forest, and I do not compare myself with the geniuses.

As Dortmund manager, I lived in a street, and my two neighbours were Schalke fans. They showed it every day, flying flags!

My father gave me some advice when I was very young – whatever someone tells you in the future, don’t forget Pele is the best.

You can speak about spirit, or you can live it.

When you play sports like tennis, you’re alone, and that’s a good school for life, but it’s also a good school for life to bring your best and make those around you better, too – helping others in difficult moments.

The key to being a good manager is keeping the people who hate me away from those who are still undecided.

What’s more important than who’s going to be the first black manager is who’s going to be the first black sports editor of the New York Times.

As Dortmund manager, I lived in a street, and my two neighbours were Schalke fans. They showed it every day, flying flags!

I am not saying I am the best manager in the world. But I’m quite good.

I’m really a normal football manager.

I would go swaggering into restaurants in some ridiculous tramp disguise, challenging them to mistreat me, order the things I was least likely to enjoy, then hurl my plate aside in a fury and demand to see the manager.

I hit a grand slam off Ron Herbel and when his manager Herman Franks came out to get him, he was bringing Herbel’s suitcase.

I have to be involved in negotiations because players have to buy into me and what I want from them if they join my club, so all managers need to be fully involved in transfers, that’s for sure.