I grew up playing in the schoolyard with the boy, and on the side of the grounds my dad coached on. I have a lot of fond memories.

You have to be able to adjust with the moment, whether it's an injury, a result.

Opportunity only knocks so many times.

I had zero opportunity to play football over the years.

When you go to a World Cup, in midfield you need to have players who can score from distance, who can get in the box and obviously play-make.

I have a tremendous staff around me. It's a really good family vibe in terms of our environment.

I went into coaching never worrying about what I was coaching for other than trying to make sure that I can prepare my team, select my team, have an amazing staff around me.

When you have a group of players with self-belief... nine times out of 10, players can be very talented to make the roster, but they need that quality, and it is pivotal at a World Cup.

I have a lot of fond memories of my life in England.

You've got to turn over every stone; you've got to look for every advantage. You need to make sure you're doing everything you possibly can, not just on the field but off it, to give your team an advantage - from having a sleep expert coming to talk to your team to having an independent analysis of your team done.

You've got to make sure you're listening to the people that are important to listen to. And then everything else, you kind of have to tune out and do your thing.

Coaches understand that pressure is part of the rush of coaching. The challenge of trying to outplay your opponent is part of the fun, the adrenaline, the preparation, seeing your team evolve. It's why coaches become coaches.

To be respectful to opponents is to play hard against them.

There's always things you can refine and polish.

It was especially tough following my shoulder injury. I was able to play again after three months out, but it wasn't the same Boateng. I had the feeling I was in another body.

As a player, you know whether you are 100 percent or not.

Real are really powerful in attack, really strong in defence, and have a balanced midfield. There's a reason they've won two Champions Leagues in a row.

I have improved both feet for my passing game as well as in the vertical play into attack, whether that be low balls or longer balls.

For the most part, I don't care who plays at my side.

I don't want to be criticised for wearing sunglasses in the sun.

In football, you can never know what happens in the future.

If a player has jewelry or a cool car, people in Germany are instantly jealous.

The Ballon d'Or is nice, but at the end of the day, I want to have success and play good, and if people recognise me, then I'm happy.

Bayern is the biggest team in Germany, one of the biggest teams in Europe. Every year, world class players come along, so it's one of the strongest teams in the world.