Sol Campbell

“There are things that are not in your control and you will never be able to control them. You've got to accept that very quickly.”

“But sport is about character. It is about understanding how a team works, about pushing the team. I also wanted to do it because of where I am from as a human being. That's what London people want: thinking outside the box, new ideas.”

“Yes, I was a footballer, but there's more to me than meets the eye. I've got more levels. So many levels. I'm not going away - and I'm going to keep on talking until things start changing.”

“You can be yourself and still have fun without crossing the line. Sometimes I feel like today's players don't want to do anything! Come on, be yourself! That's what people want.”

“I love managing characters. Characters make teams and I believe I can deal with all sorts. The most important thing is being able to pass my knowledge on to others and allowing them to flourish as individuals and as part of a team with a specific strategy.”

“I became insular because at home there was no space to grow or to evolve, everything was tight and there was no room to breathe. People don't realise how that affects you as a kid. I wasn't allowed to speak, so my expression was football.”

“I've got a furniture range with my wife, and I want to get into designing hotels and restaurants as well. We've got a big studio in Victoria and a showroom in Belgravia. I've always been interested in architecture.”

“The passion is still there, you can try and walk away from football but it just keeps on coming back.”

“I saw a lot of stuff growing up as a young kid that I don't want my kids seeing.”

“Once you start realising where you are, then you can start realising what you have to do to get the best results.”

“My message is simple to all the knockers: I am knuckling down and want to play my football with a great club and a great manager. Then you can judge me.”

“I'm a street footballer. I'm hardcore. Growing up in east London, you've got to be a little bit self-confident. As a player, I would go into detail, watch who I was playing against. Who might come into my vicinity. That gives you self-confidence.”

“Don't change being you, because it's hard work being something that you're not.”

“I've done it the correct way with the coaching badges. I have done watching the games, I have done listening to managers, I have done travelling around Europe watching other managers train, I have done a bit of TV work to help with analysis.”