I do swear a lot, but the advantage is that having played abroad, I can choose a different language from the referee’s.

The player can only compete with the best internationally when they’ve committed themselves to this goal. They have to be properly supported until that point.

I always stressed that I didn’t have coaching experience, but that I did have a deadline: June 9.

I think when there’s enough will and aggression, there’s no shortage of talent either.

If there’s a national-team player, he has to do extra work. He has to do extra weeks, and he can’t go on vacation even if he says: ‘Well, but I’m supposed now to have six weeks off.’ If he comes and says that, then I give him a hug and say: ‘Have fun the six weeks, but don’t come back here.’

The Gold Cup really is about getting the job done and winning it and qualifying us for the Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017. That’s why it’s really crucial for us to have players on the roster that have tremendous experience.

If the national coach lets decisions be made from outside, he’s lost the team.

As far as knowledge goes I’ve come a long way.

We coaches have to learn how to deal with that: How do I get to each one best – with a talk, with video analysis? And what sort of tone? We need our own coaches for that. The sports psychologist coaches me too.

The door is still open as there is always the chance of injuries.