LIFESTYLE
WORKING LIFE
My greatest achievement was…probably being a part of a Middlesbrough team
that helped take the football club back in the right direction.
My biggest disappointment was…I could say not managing to get
Middlesbrough back into the Premier League. It's my club in my heart and that
would have been great. I had three decent years, it just didn't pan out. It was also
disappointing not being able to give Celtic the run I would have wanted to.
My greatest regret was…I throw myself into everything I do and you can't have
regrets. You get on with it.
My business mantra is…I haven’t got one but my ethics are driven by that
hardworking, industrial background I've come from.
The alternative career I might have had is…a teacher.
LIFE’S LOVES
A book I love is…The one I read again and again is Legacy, about
the All Blacks. I've got two copies in my office and I always take one
away on the coach. It teaches you that what you give in life is what
you get back.
A film I love is…I'm an emotional person and I like films to tug at
your heartstrings and a story that teaches a lesson, makes you think
about life and love. You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle and Jerry
Maguire are all classics.
A TV programme I love is…I would never waste my life watching
Game of Thrones or Peaky Blinders, which have nothing to affect my
life. Thursday's the only night there might be no football and then I’ll
watch a documentary about a football club.
A song I love is…I'd challenge any person to pick one song. Adele
and Coldplay are good and I’ve just been listening to Johnny Cash,
who my dad used to play in the car.
PEOPLE
IN LIFE
I most I like to spend time with…my wife and family.
Biggest influence on my career…My parents. Bruce Rioch
was the first manager who made me think about football
in a tactical way and George Burley at Ipswich was also a
big influence.
The people who make me laugh…My kids – some of the
things they do and say. They don't know how lucky they
are, though, and some of the stuff they think is normal
makes me laugh. At Christmas I got a stocking with some
nuts, an apple and a tangerine and, if I was lucky, a family
tubes of Smarties – and it was brilliant!
The people who inspire me…Jürgen Klopp and Pep
Guardiola.
The people who make me angry are…People who
disappoint me. I understand people make mistakes in life
and can’t necessarily all live to the standards you might set
yourself. But I want people to be honest.
A holiday destination I love is…Every second year while the kids
were growing up we've been to Disney World in Florida and it's just
an amazing place.
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