“I don’t see it as soulless at all. There’s a certain magic about this place that I felt immediately upon my return. Having been involved with it for some time and then stepping away briefly, I can still sense that unique energy. While results and external perceptions might suggest otherwise, the internal feeling remains strong. Part of my role is to shape our vision for the future as a collective. Performance on the pitch is critical, but so is cultivating a positive culture—how we think, act, and what it means to be part of this club. It’s my responsibility to communicate and foster that in the right way.”
When we spoke with Darren [Fletcher] on Sunday, he mentioned that the players are feeling a bit fragile in terms of confidence right now. What steps have you and your staff taken this week to help rebuild that confidence?
“Confidence often comes from those small, pivotal moments. It’s interesting how it can be sparked unexpectedly, and that’s the nature of competitive sports. When players are in the zone, everything seems clearer and calmer, but sometimes the pressure to succeed can lead to overexertion and affect performance negatively. Striking a balance is key. Our aim is to support the players, help them improve, and stand by them through this process. Over the last few days, I hope they’ve felt that support. We’ve had a solid three days to prepare, and I believe we’re in a good place as we look forward to the upcoming game.”
The team you’ve taken over from Ruben has struggled to establish any consistent winning streaks. Their only back-to-back Premier League victories came in October against Liverpool, Sunderland, and Brighton. How do you plan to address this challenge? Achieving European qualification requires a series of wins, yet the team has struggled to put those together. What’s your plan?
“It’s a fresh start, and I have a lot of faith in both the individual players and the team as a whole. Confidence can shift quickly in sports, and I truly believe in this group. While I won’t reveal all the details of our strategy—after all, that wouldn’t be wise—I am optimistic about our tactical approach and how we visualize the team’s potential. It’s a matter of shifting the perspective from focusing on what the team might lack to recognizing their strengths and building on those. Many successful players and teams may have limitations, but that doesn’t hinder their success. It’s crucial for us to find that winning element, and I have complete faith that we can achieve it.”
