‘’It's the first game of a major championships so this is when it all begins.  We've had three games to look at a lot of players and get a squad together.

‘’But this is a big challenge for myself. I was a club manager for 18 years but this is going to be a great experience.

"We are all focused and we'll give it 100 per cent. We've worked hard in training but this is the big test - away from home, the World Cup‘’ he added.

‘’It's going to be a difficult game but we are all excited, focused and looking forward to it."

"You are not just the manager of a club - you are manager of a whole country and that does bring more pressure. There is more weight on your shoulders.

"But, as a manager, I am privileged to be given this opportunity. I've had a lot of experience in club management  but I was asked by my country to take this job and it was the biggest honour I could have.

 ‘’ I'm confident we can do well. It's a massive job to try to take your own country to a World Cup.

"It was big enough for me as a player when I was asked to play for my country.but being a manager is that much bigger. There is more weight on your shoulders but that's something you hope actually pushes you on that bit further."