I think one of the clear problems — and it's as clear as day at P.S.G. — is the problem of authority. To a man, the players are in awe of Pep's reputation, both as a player and a manager. That is a star-studded dressing room, a room of often capped internationals, with big egos, inevitably. But if Pep says something, it is law. I'm quite amazed that having the front line and midfield that we've had for the past four years has lasted as long as it has, frankly. People on here get sniffy about Raheem and Jesus, but they are starting internationals for their respective countries, automatic starters. Both could have gone to many clubs, both here and in Europe.
I don't think Pep even particularly cares if they like him. Sure, it's nice. But it's not the priority. The priority is respecting him.
If Potter, or just about anyone else I can think of, came in, they would have that problem. It's one thing knowing the coach is the boss because he's been backed by the board. It's another him being in the dressing room, you looking into his eyes and thinking, “Yep. You are the boss. If you don't pick me for this match I won't be happy, at all. But you make the decisions”.
Mancini had that authority, but then seemed to lose it. To be fair, he also didn't have quite the figures in the dressing room that we have now. And he had several players who had transitioned from — let us say — more modest times.
I've got no answer to this. There are very, very few men with Pep's weight of authority. There are none who can improve a player the way Pep can. Not one.
One day he'll move on. Then we'll have to think again. City will continue to be a successful club, and a big one. About ten years back Neville interviewed Noel Gallagher and asked him “Do you think you'll still be up there ten years up the road?” I sometimes think of that. I think of Neville thinking of the state his own club's in now. And the state City is in.