Exclusive interview with Mark Schwarzer

Australia’s World Cup draw could’ve been much worse, Senne Lammens is the first step for Man Utd to return to winning major silverware, you can’t rule out James Trafford to Chelsea, Manchester City will beat Arsenal to the Premier League title.

Speaking exclusively with JoeFortune, iconic former Premier League and World Cup goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has given his thoughts on current players and teams.

The Socceroos hero has explained why Australia’s World Cup draw could’ve been much worse while naming England among the favourites and tipping Germany to struggle.

Schwarzer has also given his take on Senne Lammens at Manchester United and talked about a potential Chelsea move to sign James Trafford from Manchester City, and more.

Q: What was your reaction to the World Cup draw?

“Well, I was excited because obviously Australia were in the mix. I was excited to see who Australia came up against. So that was one part of it that I was really looking forward to.

“It just makes it real, doesn’t it? That’s when the business starts. When people start to look at where they’re going to be, where they’re going to base their teams, stadiums they’re going to be playing out of, and schedules.

“This is where real planning starts and that’s why I like it.. As a player, you sat there and you watched the draw with such excitement and felt that, right, this is real now.

“Not only was it real when you qualified, but this is really real because now you can see who you’re coming up against.”

Q: Who do you see as favourites for the World Cup?

“I think the usual suspects are, for me, Argentina, Brazil, England, Spain, and France. You could put a hat over the top of them and say it could be any one of those.

“It could be any one of any others as well. But I still think a lot is down to experience, how to get through tournaments, what it takes to get to the very end of tournaments, and to win tournaments.

“It’s really, really hard to look beyond those teams. Spain obviously looks like one of the teams to beat, being European champions, of course, and playing some great football.

“You can’t write the current world champions off in Argentina, who still have Lionel Messi, and Brazil with Carlo Ancelotti as manager. And will it finally be England’s time to bring it home?

“France is an interesting one because I don’t think France are anywhere near their best capabilities as a team. And the big question marks are, is it one tournament too far for Didier Deschamps?”

Q: Is the group stage less pressurised with three teams potentially going through?

“It definitely changes the dynamics. But obviously, it’s not every third-place team, so you’re still competing, but it makes it very, very different.

“However, if I’m playing in a World Cup right now, and Australia is obviously at the World Cup, I’ll take it. I’m excited that we have a chance of getting through to the knockout stages once again.

“Obviously, it’s an increased number of teams. It’s going to be different to what we’ve had in the past, but I’m still very much looking forward to it.”

Q: What do you make of Australia’s draw?

“The draw is not an easy draw. There’s no doubt about it. It’s still a tough draw. There’s no easy draw. But I think it could have been a lot worse, and I’m happy with it.

“If we’re not good enough to get through, then we’re not good enough to get through. Of course, we’re still going to wait to see who is the team coming from Europe. Is it going to be any one of four teams: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo?

“I mean, for me, it’s a tough group. But a group where, if I’m going to the World Cup, I’m thinking, ‘You know what? We’re going to have to play really well. We’re going to have to have a little bit of luck. But if we play really well, then we’ve got a chance of getting through’.”

Q: Would Turkey be the toughest team from the playoffs?

“Turkey would be the name you look at, Slovakia played well throughout the group stages. Obviously, their last game against Germany was the one that let them down. It was a final basically in Germany, which they lost 6-0.

“But they played very well throughout the qualifying. They beat Germany in Slovakia. I mean, it’s tough. Any one of those sides are going to be a tough opponent.

“One would think normally you’re looking at Turkey as the most likely or certainly the favorite of those four teams to go through.

“However, it’s a knockout stage and there’s so much riding on those games and the pressure will be absolutely enormous, certainly on Turkey because of that expectation.”

Q: What would be a successful tournament for Australia?

“Getting out of the group is always the goal that we set ourselves. Obviously, it’s a little bit different this time around. Get out of the group and you’re still at the same stage as you were at the previous World Cup, in the final 32. So still 32 teams there.

“I looked at the next round, and if Australia were to finish second in the group, they would then play 2G, which could be Egypt, Iran or New Zealand.

“Tough games, but definitely doable. The next round after that would probably most likely be a round of 16 game against Argentina. And then that would kind of be a repeat of what we did in Qatar in 2022. We played Argentina in the round of 16.

“So who knows. There’s a long way to go between now and then, but finishing second in the group, I don’t think is such a bad thing.”

Q: How impressed have you been with Senne Lammens at Man Utd?

“I think Senne Lammens has done exceptionally well. It’s an interesting one because I think anytime you go to a club of Manchester United’s magnitude, there’s going to be pressure, let alone at a time where the goalkeeping position has been a real big problem for them for a number of seasons.

“And of course, you’ve got Andre Onana, who’s a massive personality, one that has really struggled in that shirt. He’s always gonna feel pressure, but I think it was a little bit under the radar because no one really knew much about him.

“I think people kind of almost dismissed him before he started playing. So maybe there was a little bit less pressure on him, but it doesn’t matter. He’s performed really well. He’s played with confidence.

“You know what it is for me? It’s a bit of old-fashioned goalkeeping back in it again. He’s catching the ball, he’s taking crosses. He’s doing the simple things well. I think we’ve gotten a little bit carried away with what a goalkeeper does and what the fundamentals of a good goalkeeper are.

“I think what Lammens has done is he’s come in and he’s just simplified things, he’s been really consistent and by doing that, by dominating, taking crosses, not making mistakes, in particular, big mistakes, he’s given his teammates confidence.

“The ball comes up high in the box. They know that the goalkeeper is going to come out and get it. Okay, there can be a mistake, there’s no doubt about it, but so far, he’s dealt with everything. So I’ve really enjoyed watching him play.

“I’ve really enjoyed the simplicity of his game and the understated performances that he’s had and I don’t say that disrespectfully, I mean that in a really positive way. I mean that he’s not trying to get limelight.

“He’s just trying to be a goalkeeper and do his job and do it well, and he’s done it really well. I think previously there was more focus on how good he looked or maybe how good a save looked as opposed to regularly making good saves and making good decisions.

“I think now in Lammens, you’ve got someone who’s actually doing the simple things, the normal things, the traditional things that goalkeepers should be doing, and doing it well.”

Q: Is Senne Lammens the start of the path back to major trophies for Man Utd?

“Senne Lammens is the start of the path back to major trophies for Man Utd. The goalkeeping position that’s been one of their biggest Achilles heels up until this point.

“It’s obviously well documented. Andre Onana came with a massive name, came with a big price tag, and was incredibly inconsistent and more often didn’t live up to expectation and that cost them. It cost them in so many games.

“I think now we’re seeing Senne Lammens has just come in and settled, done the job, done what he’s needed to do. I think people are kind of surprised at how well he’s played.

“When you look at it, you go, he’s just simplified it. He’s just gone back to goalkeeping. He’s doing what a goalkeeper should be doing, and he’s done it well.

“The challenge is consistency over a long period of time and that’s for everyone, that’s all players. He’s had a really good start. Now he’s going to build on it.

“Now he’s going to continue to get better, but also be consistent. And the fewer mistakes he makes, of course, the better. I think he’s got potential to be a long-term goalkeeper at Manchester United if he keeps building.”

Q: What are your thoughts on the Mohamed Salah situation at Liverpool?

“It’s a really interesting one, and obviously there’s a lot of commentary out there about what’s actually going on. And one thing I will say is that Mo Salah is not someone who would normally front the media.

“So when he does do it, and certainly of late, he’s done it when he’s wanting to make a statement. And I think that’s where he lets himself down a little bit, is that he’s using the media and the various moments to put pressure on people, to kind of show how unhappy he is with the situation.

“I think that’s a little bit disappointing because I think Mo is a fantastic player. There’s no doubting that. You know, he’s been an unbelievable player in the Premier League. I mean, his records speak for themselves.

“What he’s done for Liverpool, what he’s done in the Premier League is up there with the very, very best to ever played in the Premier League. But again, it comes down to how you carry yourself and the legacy that you leave.

“I think the best thing that Mo Salah could have done was just take it on the chin. He’s big enough, he’s got the status. And okay, his ego’s been hurt. He feels like he’s been thrown under the bus, and I can understand that because we’ve all been in those sort of situations where you feel like you’ve been let down by people.

“I think the best thing he could have done was just kept his mouth shut and kept going, got his head down and worked hard, and then, with the Africa Cup of Nations around the corner, gone there and done well for Egypt. Then who knows what would happen in January, whether he stays or whether he goes, or he comes back in the side, who knows?

Q: Do you have sympathy from James Trafford at Man City?

“I find it mind-blowing, I really do. Obviously, James Trafford was at Manchester City, had an opportunity to go back. Clearly, he was kind of under the impression that he was going to have a chance to play week in, week out.

“With Ederson, I think there had been rumbles for a while, even though he denied it quite a bit. But there seemed to be a lot of rumbles for quite some time that he was going to be potentially moving on. It almost happened the season before, going to Saudi Arabia, which then didn’t happen.

“I think his form and fitness were inconsistent throughout the course of the season. And then obviously James Trafford came to the club, and you just felt like, okay, that’s the next step.

“And then the huge signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma, which I certainly was caught unaware of. I was caught out by that because I just didn’t see Donnarumma as being the fit for Manchester City, certainly the way that Manchester City have played with Ederson, or how good he is with his feet.

“ I don’t think Donnarumma is as good as Ederson with his feet. I don’t think there are many goalkeepers on the planet who are as good with the ball at their feet as Ederson.

“You’re going to make changes when you try and replace someone like Ederson. I think the challenge for Donnarumma was how is he going to adapt to the Premier League?

“The ferocious pace, the physicality of it, even though a lot of people believe that goalkeepers are protected, if you compare it to how goalkeepers are refereed and looked after on the continent, it’s a very big difference.

“Goalkeepers are not even touched, they’re not allowed to be touched inside the six-yard box. Whereas in the Premier League, it’s judged how it should be. If it’s a fair challenge, it’s a fair challenge. If it’s not, it’s not. That’s just the way it is.

“I think he’s done incredibly well. I think he’s been brilliant. I think he’s been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season. I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

“Not that I didn’t think he was a good goalkeeper, I just felt that maybe he would struggle with that physicality. Even though he’s a big guy, it’s what you’re used to, it’s what you’re brought up with. In Italy, France, and playing in European football, you’re protected, you’re really protected.

“I think he’s been outstanding. And for James Trafford, he’s never going to play. There’s no way in years he’s going to play ahead of Donnarumma. He’s going to play the odd games, and for me that’s just the worst possible move for him.

“Where he felt that he could have a chance playing for England, or being involved with England, now it’s going to be a struggle if he’s not playing week in and week out, or certainly playing enough games. I just don’t know how the manager could even pick him for England.”

Q: Could you see James Trafford going to Newcastle?

“It doesn’t really make sense to me, James Trafford joining Newcastle now, but clubs work in mysterious ways. I’d find it a bit of a strange move if he were to go to Newcastle right now.

“What would that say for Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale, that would be having three really good goalkeepers at the club. Is James Trafford then potentially going to find himself not playing week in, week out for Newcastle? It’s crazy.

“I think Trafford is going to go to a club where he’s going to play, at least even if he goes on loan, which probably now in the season means he goes somewhere where he’s playing week in, week out. I think that’s a must for him from now to the end of the season.”

Q: Who do you see as an underrated goalkeeper in the Premier League?

“I think Robin Roefs has done really well so far at the beginning of the season. But if I look at goalkeepers in the last two to three years who I think have done really well, I think Bernd Leno is certainly one.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Bernd Leno when he first went to Arsenal. Now being at Fulham, I think he’s outstanding for Fulham. Dean Henderson at Crystal Palace, he’s been superb for Crystal Palace.

“A big reason why they’re having so much success right now is because they’ve got a fantastic goalkeeper there. And I’m also a big fan of Bart Verbruggen at Brighton. I’ve liked him very much.

“So I think those three kind of stand out for me as being kind of like the most sort of underrated. I mean, I know they do get accolades. Certainly Dean Henderson’s received some accolades, but I still think they’re slightly underrated for the jobs that they do.”

Q: What do you make of Robert Sanchez at Chelsea?

“The problem is his consistency. When you’re at a big club, you need consistency. Look at Manchester United and Andre Onana, Man City and Gianluigi Donnarumma coming in and what he’s done already.

“I will say for Robert Sanchez, I think in the last six months, has improved dramatically. He hasn’t made as many mistakes as he had done previously.

“I think he’s made some big saves. The Club World Cup final, I think for me, was by far the best game he’s ever played for Chelsea. I think obviously there’s still some way to go.

“I think playing out from the back, with his feet at times, he’s been caught out. He’s made some poor decisions with his distribution. It’s tried to call them out this season as well. So that’s something that he still needs to very much work on and improve upon.

“I think for a club that are going to win things, I know they won the Conference League last season, not that Robert Sanchez played in those competitions, and they won the Club World Cup, but I think consistently, if you’re in the Champions League, you want to win the Premier League, you’re going to have to have a top, top-class goalkeeper.

“I just don’t feel like he’s at that level. Look, there’s a chance that he can get there, but I think he’s still got some way to go. And of course, when you’ve had a pretty average start at the club, even if you play well for the next six months, the minute you make another mistake, people straight away get on your back.

“I’ve noticed it with Robert Sanchez, the minute he makes a poor decision with his distribution, fans are on his back and it’s because he’s done it too often, I think, in a Chelsea shirt.

“That’s been one of the problems and it’s been a position that I think so many people have thought that Chelsea would look to strengthen every transfer window, and they haven’t.

“So obviously, Enzo Maresca is happy with him and ultimately that’s what matters. The manager is happy enough with the players he has and he’s obviously happy with Robert Sanchez and he’s made him clearly now his number one, which I think had to be done.

“I think the decision has to be made on who is your number one. You can’t flick between the two. I think that causes incitement among both goalkeepers and I think certainly Robert Sanchez this season has flourished under the fact that he knows he’s number one at the club.”

Q: Could you see James Trafford at Chelsea?

“I thought Gianluigi Donnarumma would have been a perfect fit for Chelsea in the summer and by all accounts, but of course he ended up at Manchester City.

“I was surprised that Chelsea didn’t go in for him because I think he would have been a perfect fit for both those clubs and as he’s shown at Manchester City, he’s a phenomenal goalkeeper.

“James Trafford for Chelsea? You can’t write anything off. I think the thing for Trafford is, I think I’ve met him once or twice, but I think if I were going to give him advice between now and the end of the season with a World Cup around the corner, wherever he goes, he has to make sure he’s playing.

“He’s got to go to a club where they are signing him as the number one. And of course, he’s got to perform. I think he needs to find a club, even if it’s on loan, between now and the end of the season where he’s going to play week in, week out and prove what a good goalkeeper he is.”

Q: Is inconsistency at Chelsea keeping them out of the title race?

“Chelsea are more than capable of winning the title. But that’s the league, right? The league is so difficult. The teams that do well are the ones that put in that consistency, and even when they’re not playing well, they still win games.

“That’s why Manchester City have been so dominant for such a long period of time. The bar is so high. Arsenal and Liverpool have scored ridiculous amounts of points in so many finished seasons because Manchester City have been so good.

“The Premier League can be like that, and it is more and more like that these days. And you look at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in that mix, it’s incredible.

“Villa, what they’ve done year after year under Unai Emery. The competition for places in that top six, top four is getting stronger and tougher every single year.

“For Chelsea, it’s trying to juggle things. They’re in the Champions League, cup competitions, the league, off the back of the Club World Cup, having so little time off, which is definitely going to hurt players.

“That’s why I think a big reason why you’re seeing so many players being injured. It doesn’t help and I think having missed Cole Palmer for such a long period of time is a big loss.

“Now that he’s slowly coming back, hopefully he’ll improve things. Joao Pedro dropping in form, that all coincides with players being out as well.

“I would be surprised if Pedro dropped in form if Cole Palmer was still in the team, because he’ll have more opportunities because of the service and the type of player that he is.

“I think for Chelsea, it’s the case of still having a pretty young squad, but players that need to get some consistency, and some players making sure that they’re fit for as long as possible so they can get that consistent team out more frequently.”

Q: What is your predicted top four for the Premier League?

“I’m going to go with Man City to win it. I think Arsenal will finish second, Chelsea third, and I’m going to put Liverpool in fourth.

“I think Liverpool are only two points off fifth place, three points off fourth. And for Liverpool’s standards, they’ve had a shocking start to the season.

“So for me, Liverpool have the squad, have the players. The Mo Salah thing is a big distraction for them. It can’t be good.

“So that’s only going to be for another couple of weeks because he’ll move on to AFCON. They may even let him go earlier. You never know what will happen.

“But I think Liverpool are more than capable of competing, not necessarily for the title anymore, but I mean, look, they’re only 10 points after 15 games away from Arsenal and Arsenal have shown they’re not bulletproof.

“Man City have got the know-how. Pep Guardiola knows how to get his teams firing and when you’ve got Erling Haaland up front, anything is possible.

“For me, that’s the biggest difference. When you look at Arsenal, you look at Villa, you look at any of the other teams in that top 10 in the Premier League, no one has a player that can match Erling Haaland.”

Q: Is Jordan Pickford at his best level right now?

“I think Jordan Pickford is playing some of his best football now. There was a period of about 12 to 18 months under Gareth Southgate where he played some really poor football and was still selected.

“The big question marks were, ‘How is he still playing?’ Nick Pope was playing so well, Dean Henderson was playing really well, and Jordan Pickford was still consistently being picked. International football and club football are two different things.

“Jordan Pickford has always played really well for England. He’s never let England down. He’s been to two European Championship finals, he’s been in the semi-finals of the World Cup, and he’s played over 80 internationals.

“That’s not to say that’s why he still should be the number one. But over the last couple of seasons, he’s really backed up his performance for Everton. He’s been one of their best players and has put in some fantastic performances.

“Because he’s been England’s number one for a number of years now, the spotlight is enormous, and everything is scrutinized, every element of it. If England don’t win something, they’re going to go through the team and pick it apart.

“Jordan Pickford has obviously had his fair share of being under that spotlight. Overall, the way he has dealt with it and bounced back each time has been very impressive.”

Q: How big a miss will Manuel Neuer be for Germany?

“The issue Germany has is that the natural replacement for Manuel Neuer was Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. Unfortunately for Germany and for him, he’s had a knee injury and has been out for a long period of time, add that to the issues he’s having at Barcelona, and he hasn’t played a game for close to 12 months now, and we’re leading up to a World Cup.

“Oliver Baumann from Hoffenheim is the number one goalkeeper at the moment. He’s worked with Julian Nagelsmann before, when Nagelsmann was at Hoffenheim.

“Baumann is a good goalkeeper. I’m going to say he’s a Manuel Neuer, but very, very few goalkeepers come anywhere close to Neuer. Ter Stegen is another level of goalkeeper as well, so there is a miss there.

“It’s a challenge for Germany because I think Oliver Baumann is really consistent. You know exactly what you’re going to get from him. Nothing fazes him. He’s a very well-established, top-class professional and has done really, really well at Hoffenheim for a long period of time, and the manager backs him.

“So the question is, is that enough for Germany? Will that be enough? It doesn’t just solely rely on the goalkeeping position, that goes without saying. But for Germany to win a World Cup, can they win it with Oliver Baumann in goal? I’m not sure.”

Q: How special will it be to have Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at another World Cup?

“It is special. Sometimes you look at it and go, is Cristiano Ronaldo a guaranteed starter for Portugal every time? At the moment, it seems like he is, but I don’t know whether he still should be.

“Look, his records are phenomenal. His transition from a wide player to a striker, his goalscoring record is just insane, as is Lionel Messi’s. Messi’s continuous dominance in that number 10 role created midfield play. Goals he scored, probably fewer goals these days, but still involvements, match involvements, key moments in games still right up there.

“I think they are two phenomenal players and will go down as two of the greats to have ever played a game of football. So we’re talking about two phenomenal players.

“When I played against Cristiano Ronaldo, he was at the sort of beginning of his career at Manchester United. And people talk about him as being this world-class player that played in the Premier League. I disagree. I think he was a top-class player and he was growing.

“He was growing into the player he became when he went to Madrid, because he wasn’t the same player. When he went to Madrid, that’s when he grew into that superstar for me, personally.

“I thought he was a top-class player at Man United for the last 6 months to 12 months. But before that, I thought he was just a huge talent, and a brilliant player, but not the superstar that we knew or saw how they go on to be.

“They’re two very different players and two players that have changed games themselves, single-handedly, time and time again.

“The records that they’ve achieved probably, I can’t say never be broken, but I mean, they can look at players like Erling Haaland, what he’s doing, but it’s going to take some doing to break them.”

Q: Did you expect Frank Lampard to go into management?

“Not really, because when I was with him, he’s quite understated. He keeps to himself. You can go over to him and have a chat with him and have a conversation about all sorts of things, but he was very much focused on himself, and he was very quiet amongst the group.

“He’d say things when needed, but he would not necessarily be right in the mix of all the banter and the ongoing conversation all the time. So, not really, no.

“But then obviously you look at his dad, look at his uncle, of course, there is a natural pathway there for him to go into football. And as we know, right, so often world-class players don’t make top-class managers.

“Frank obviously had his ups and downs through his coaching career. What I will say is when he went to Chelsea that first season, they had that transfer embargo. When you look at Mason Mount, when you look at players like him, they would never have got a chance had they not had a transfer embargo or it’s really unlikely they would have had a chance.

“He’s just one, there were about four or five of them that came through that he had to play because they couldn’t bring players in and he relied on the youth. I thought they were outstanding.

“I thought the development of players, Reece James is another one, the development of these players was only down to the fact of the embargo, but also Frank Lampard’s trust in them to play them and they’ve flourished ever since.

“So I thought he did a tremendous job at Chelsea that first season and I think since then obviously he’s had some tough times and then I think since he’s been at Coventry literally from the minute he walked in the door I think things changed.

“I’ve been able to see him, I’ve spoken to him and interviewed him up there last season and they were doing really, really well then, they were on a good run. Not quite enough to get up, but this season they’ve kind of gelled.

“They’ve really clicked and so far, so far, they’ve been the outstanding side in the Championship.”

Q: Could Jamie Vardy have gone abroad earlier in his career?

“The fairytale of Jamie Vardy and Leicester was never going to end any sooner than it did. I think it was a match made in heaven. The relationship, the understanding between the fans, the club and Jamie Vardy was so strong that I think Jamie Vardy would never have left if he could have had his own way.

“I don’t think Jamie would have ever left Leicester if Leicester wanted to keep him. If they’d stayed in the Premier League, any other chance, I still say I don’t think he would have ever left.

“So it’s great. Look, it’s great to see him have that challenge, you know, take on that challenge of going overseas. Maybe because he’s mature now, not too mature to take away from his personality too much, but obviously he’s more mature and he’s able to deal with the challenges that come with playing abroad.

“He’s obviously a lot more confident probably in his own ability, which is understandable. And there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to be able to make a difference.

“But again, that’s aging a career. It’s always about can he keep fit? Throughout his career, Jamie Vardy has shown the resilience and the ability to stay fit for large periods of his career. So I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s still fit and doing well.”

Q: What do you think will be next for Ange Postecoglou?

“I think that Nottingham Forest spell really hurt his reputation. Going there and not winning a game under the circumstances, with players not getting on board with him, not getting on board with the way he wanted to play. There was obviously resistance.

“I think that’s a big problem. When you’re so set in the way you play, and if you don’t have the players on board, that’s where you’re going to have problems. I think it’s disappointing that he went there so quickly, and it just didn’t work out for him.

“Look, hindsight’s a wonderful thing. I think if you ask him whether he’d do it differently, I don’t know, it’d be a really interesting question to ask him. Who knows? Would he have done anything differently? But obviously, there’s that natural relationship between him and the owner, if not the important one. So there was always, for me, kind of like a dead cert that that’s where he would probably end up after Spurs.

“I still believe that Spurs made a mistake in getting rid of him. And no disrespect to Thomas Frank, I’m a big fan of Thomas Frank. I think he’s a fantastic manager, did an unbelievable job at Brentford. And obviously, he’s finding different challenges at Tottenham, different club, different side of the club, different expectations, style of football, which probably at Brentford, was never ever probably questioned by the fans.

“They were just happy for the journey and the ride and the growth of the club. And Thomas Frank was the heart of that. He was Brentford. Whereas, Spurs is a different beast, isn’t it?

“So it’s been, I think, a tough initiation for him and I think for Ange, I know that they had a terrible, terrible Premier League season last season. But it was at the cost of winning a trophy, right? Winning their first European trophy in over 40 years. Qualifying for the Champions League.

“What would have been the remit at the start of the season? Win a trophy, qualify for the Champions League. Tick, tick.. So to then lose the job, I was still quite surprised. I really was.

“I know the fans were really divided, but I think in the end, obviously there was an approach to style of football that was something that at times was frustrating for people. I get that. But ultimately, when you look at the remit, when you look at what was delivered, yeah, the league position could have been better. But what a season they had.”

Q: Could you see Ange Postecoglou back at Celtic one day?

“If you look at Ange’s career history, if I’m correct, I don’t think he’s ever gone back to a club. That’s not to say that might not happen in the future, but I just don’t think Ange has wanted to go back to where he was before. So, I’m kind of not surprised.

“I think for him and where he wants to be in his journey, going back would have been like a side step and not necessarily forward, I think. And again, not being disrespectful to Celtic because it’s an enormous club, one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“But I think because he’s been there, done that, and the step up was the Premier League, I think obviously a side step across to Nottingham Forest,  that didn’t work out.

“I think the challenge for Ange is where does he go next? Does he end up getting another job in the Premier League or does he end up having to go abroad? Only time will tell.”

Q: What do you make of South Africa before the World Cup?

“I think for South Africa and the World Cup in 2010, I was there and the excitement around their team and the country hosting the World Cup was incredible, to then falling into the wilderness a little bit.

“It’s great to see them back at the World Cup. It’s going to be a massive challenge for them. I’ll be perfectly honest with you, they’re kind of like a real unknown.

“I think sometimes that unknown, that unpredictability is what causes problems. So with the extra teams, with the third place up for grabs through the round of 32, then anything’s possible.

“Anyone can go on a good run. Build confidence as they go through the tournament and I think for South Africa, in 2010, the pressure and the expectation was enormous.

“Now there’s probably limited pressure on them. There’s pressure of course, there will be pressure within themselves and within the group, but in general, I don’t think many people will have expectations from them.

“So this is where teams are dangerous, even more dangerous.”

Q: How impressed have you been with Middlesbrough this season?

“For me it’s not about catching Coventry, it’s about making sure that the gap between them and third place is greater. Finishing top, great, you win the trophy and you win the Championship. For me, that’s really irrelevant.

“Just finish in those top two places, just gain enough points to find a bit of a gap between you and third place and then finish it off.

“For Middlesbrough, to be where they are, is phenomenal. Not a lot has changed in the summer in terms of personnel.

“Obviously, a manager came in, did a fantastic job, they were flying, and then another change of manager, and they’ve kind of continued that momentum, and I think that’s a good sign. It’s a really good sign.

“The question is, they’ve got 26 games to go, that’s the challenge. They’re not even halfway yet, but it’s a phenomenal start.”

Q: Could Middlesbrough and Wolves swap places this season?

“It’s almost inevitable that Wolves are going to be in the Championship next season, and we’ll probably find that out sooner rather than later because they’ve been absolutely woeful so far in the Premier League in terms of their points gathering. It’s been terrible.

“Middlesbrough have it in their hands at the moment, there are still 26 games to go, so it’s a long way. However, after 20 games, they’ve put themselves in a brilliant position.

“It would be excellent to see Middlesbrough back in the Premier League. I look at it and think the most exciting times at Middlesbrough were when the three teams from the North East were in the Premier League at the same time.

“So, as a Middlesbrough fan, you don’t often say that you’d like Sunderland to stay up, but I want Middlesbrough to get promoted. I want Sunderland to stay up, and obviously Newcastle will be there.

“Having those North East derbies back in the Premier League fixture list would be phenomenal.”

Q: Are Leicester out of the picture in the promotion race?

“I think things have been tough for a few reasons at Leicester over the last few years, and that’s showing on the match now.

“They are a huge club. You look at the stadium, you look at the training facilities, the training facilities are arguably the best in the country.

“That doesn’t guarantee you anything, but what I’m saying is that they are a club set up to be at the highest level and to attract some top-class players.

“They just need to get their off-field and on-field acts together and get back into it. What the club has accomplished over the last ten years is remarkable and I don’t think there’s a single Leicester fan that would change anything about it, of course.

“But it’s about what they do going forward, and there’s obviously some work to do.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Fulham this season?

“Fulham need to make sure they stay in the Premier League. They’re four points ahead at the moment. There’s a long way to go still. So they’ve got to get some points back on the board and make sure they secure that Premier League position.

“I think Marco Silva has done a phenomenal job at the club but things are up in the air and I think when it goes hand in hand, when a manager hasn’t signed a contract, a club are more reluctant to allow the manager to have overall say on player recruitment because he could be out the door anytime soon.

“So you get it from a club’s perspective too, it goes hand in hand. You can have it both ways. I think the club has to do the right thing for the club, you know, because there’s no point signing all these players that the manager wants and then who knows if the manager is even going to be there at the end of the season.

“So I get it. But ultimately what’s important is the club and themselves and make sure they stay in the Premier League this season. Because this looks like the season that could be that real big challenge. Certainly the way it is after 15 games.”

Q: What is your prediction for Chelsea vs Everton?

“You look at Chelsea over the last couple of games, it hasn’t been great. Everton, after what was probably their worst performance of the season, losing at home to Newcastle, have really kicked on.

“Chelsea, in their last four league games, haven’t won a game. They’ve had two draws and two losses. That’s very poor form for a club like Chelsea and given the expectations of the club.

‘This is a game at home that is a must-win against Everton, even though Everton have been playing really well this season.”

Q: What is your prediction for Middlesbrough vs QPR?

“Home games are so important in any league. We talk about Chelsea at home to Everton, and now Middlesbrough at home to QPR. I mean, the Riverside has to be a fortress.

“That’s where their home form, together with some decent runaway from home, is what’s going to get them promoted. They have to make sure they pick up maximum points at home.”

Q: What is your prediction for Burnley vs Fulham?

“It’s a tricky one to call. I mean, you look at Burnley and they’ve lost their last five games in a row. Fulham have lost their last two in a row. So it’s a tricky one, it really is.

“Burnley haven’t been torn apart by teams, what they do is they fight. And obviously, there’s a bit of a rivalry there. Scott Parker, manager of Burnley, is obviously an ex-Fulham player and manager. There’s quite a lot at stake.

“I would imagine Scott Parker’s under a lot of pressure as well to start trying to deliver some results. It is a really, really big game for both clubs.

“I think if Burnley were to win it, that really starts to put the fear in Fulham. Obviously, I hope that Fulham win the game and beat Burnley and, unfortunately for Burnley, make it much more difficult for them to stay up.

“But I see it as a kind of a mini cup final for Burnley and Fulham this weekend.”