How would you have coped against Real Madrid?
A crazy task and we have a very tired squad. We may need fresh legs against Cruz Azul.
Your football history is...
I played in the Spanish B division for a short time, and lower divisions. I was a skilful player who liked to be on the ball, with a good understanding of the game. At 33, I got the chance to coach a second division team.
Presumably Barcelona were your team...
My Dad had four season tickets for 12 years. My brother would fall asleep - he is now a swimming coach - but I was awake.
Childhood hero?
Barcelona had a great German midfielder named Bernd Schuster. He could play everything - short passing, an unbelievable long ball.
You initially came to New Zealand as a player...
I decided with a couple of friends to play there. I always remembered New Zealand from the (1982) Spanish World Cup. One day, you decide to have a look at that land. I got in touch with someone at Central United who happened to be Colin Cook. He has become like a second Dad to me, a very important person in my life.
They appointed you as assistant coach in 2008...
Colin was a board member of Auckland City and he always thought I could do something for the game in New Zealand and change how the club played. Auckland City approached me and a friend, Xavi Roca, a Spanish first division player, and it started from there.
How difficult has it been to bring in your football style?
Very difficult. First, you have to convince the players, and it takes a lot of work, hours of video, training games, practice, practice and more practice ... we also had to convince a lot of people outside the squad. I'd heard for a long time that you can't play possession-based football in New Zealand blah, blah, blah. It has been a long process.
You have a lot of imports, from about a dozen countries...
New Zealand players want to go overseas - they don't want to be here, where we only pay expenses. A guy like Sam Burfoot works during the day and comes to training too knackered sometimes. A lot of Kiwi players have turned me down, so you have to bring players in. We need to find more Sam Burfoots, players willing to sacrifice.
Standout players?
I don't want to leave anyone behind ... but I'll talk about a couple of Kiwi players. Tim Payne has been fantastic - he has an amazing engine and is the type of player every coach wants. Ryan De Vries has something not many New Zealand players have - he can beat players one on one.
Does coaching a multi-national team present special challenges?
There must be understanding between squad members. It is most important to bring in good people, those who respect other nationalities and cultures.
You are regarded as a superb video analyst...
We have our own video done here, of our games and opponents. The TV coverage is too close to see the patterns. It is a simple thing to be done which takes a long time - when you love what you do it doesn't matter whether it takes two, three, four hours. You are watching, watching watching, trying to recognise patterns of play in and out of possession.
Will your success help New Zealand football?
I hope interest can grow. We go to Wellington and get picked up by a guy in a van who has never heard of us. Coming from Barcelona, that is unbelievable.
You missed out on the All Whites job - would you try again?
This is not the time to talk about that. They have a new coach who deserves the chance to develop whatever he wants to develop. But I thought I was ready for the job.
What do you miss about Barcelona?
Apart from my girlfriend, family, friends ... the social life. I love a lot of things about New Zealand and the country has treated me so well, but at home you can go anywhere at 7 or 8 at night and there are cafes open, people around. The season is short here, and I go back for four months each year.
Overseas coaching offers?
You never know what is coming. The players will also be getting phone calls. My contract is with Auckland City and I am very, very grateful to this club. They gave me an unbelievable opportunity and trusted my ideas and will be in my heart for the rest of my life.
