“I’ve surrounded myself with experience in my backroom staff to help the transition and I’ve taken a bit of every manager I played under into this job with me.

“I’d be a fool, an idiot, not to learn from those I’ve seen at close quarters.

“I discovered a lot under Jean Tigana at Fulham, for example. The French were World and European Champions at the time and were flavour of the month in football.

“Tigana was really into nutrition and fitness and I’ve remembered his philosophy and methods.

“Then there were Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness at Newcastle. And I’ve spoken on occasions to Sir Bobby Robson who had me in his England Under-21 squads.”

Souness, did I hear, Lee? Are you certain?

“Absolutely,” he fired back. “I know what the United fans will think, and Graeme got mighty stick from the Press, but I learned when I came back to St James’s Park and played another 20-plus matches under him.

“Graeme had all that pressure but he never transferred it to the players. He protected them – he was a man amongst men.

“There were plenty of youngsters about who could have wilted if Graeme hadn’t put up a shield and taken all the flak himself.

“I want to utilise his philosophy here at the Galpharm Stadium.”

To read the full interview click here to be taken to the Evening Chronicle.