Geoff

What should we do?

Because you and I have done countless interviews.

He said, ring him and ask him about his time at Valencia.

Now, I can see why that could amuse a lot of other people, but I'm not entirely sure that's going to lift Gary's spirit.

I mean, as soon as I even say the word Valencia, what do you think?

He's your partner of a number of different things.

And it was a very...

different scenario it's not like a chairman of a club now ringing you up and saying Gary would like to speak to you this is a close personal friend and also a business associate so you probably viewed the request in a completely different fashion to being offered a job in football as it were

When you say it was ego-driven and overly confident, did you only recognise that in hindsight?

At the time, did you think, well, hang on,

You know, I'm analysing football every week.

I'm analysing football for Roy Hodgson.

I had a 20-year career at one of the biggest clubs in the world, a hugely successful time.

Was it a case of thinking, well, I've seen how all the components work.

Can't be that difficult to put it all together.

And not appreciating the difference between theory and practicality.

When you look back now, can you see what those warning signs were, what those flashing lights were?

Were there obvious moments where you think, should have said that to him, should have done that, should have done that.

So once you've passed the point, of course, taking the job in the first place, that was an emotional decision, which in fairness, knowing you, is not normally you.

You don't normally make emotional decisions.