“Sir Bobby Robson for his man-management because it’s key. I have got to allow you to believe what I’m telling you will allow you to be the best player on the pitch.
“I have to get you to feel that. If someone’s telling you how brilliant you are and watch what you are going to do for them tomorrow, it helps.
“With the confidence [Sir Bobby] would give to me, every time I went on to the pitch with him I felt like I was the best player in the world.
“There were loads of bad moments, loads of coaches I didn’t quite see eye to eye with. I learned loads – I wouldn’t quite do it [their]way.
“A lot of developing was more with Vincent Kompany, because we spent so much time together – especially in Belgium – where we were from 7am until 11.30 12 at night nearly every day.
“Sometimes we were walking on the pitch under the floodlights on our own.
“I do miss those days. I am grateful for them.”