You don't put snowdrops in the ground and expect them to come up the next month. It's the same with football teams- you have to nurture them.'

'That Jose Mourinho's got a lot to say for himself. He reminds me a lot of what I was like at his age - but I was better looking.'

'Some idiots say my players live in fear of me. It's just that they know where they stand with me - that's the difference.'

'We don't like the French and they don't like us, but they picked out a plum with that Wenger bloke.' (On Arsenal topping Forest's 42 match unbeaten run)

'Don't walk on the pitch with your high heels on. Mind you they go with your earrings.' (To a bunch of fashion conscious opposition players)

'I didn't blame him for going to Italy, but I made him buy a house for his Mam and Dad. It was the first they'd owned - they deserved it.' (On Des Walker's move to Sampdoria)

'How would I have handled Eric Cantona after that kung fu kick? I'd have cut his balls off.'

'What is the point of giving you the ball when there's a genius on the left wing?' (To Martin O'Neill on the merits of Robertson)

'Can you imagine any other profession where NOT doing something makes you better at it? It's ridiculous, a pianist learns to play by spending hours on the keyboard.' (On players being asked to run around, rather than practice with the ball)

'Don Revie's players perfected harrassing referees. Any time a free kick was given against them you couldn't see the poor ref for white shirts.'

'Forget it, I don't want troublemakers; I don't want shithouses and I don't want an ugly sod like Kenny Burns littering up my football club.' (On Peter Taylor's suggestion to buy Kenny Burns)

'You'll get it when you learn how to play with it properly.' (Peter Withe reqests matchball after scoring 4 goals against Ipswich)

'I'm not saying he's thin and pale, but the maid in our hotel made his bed the other day and she didn't realise he was still in it.' (On Brian Rice)

'I'm sure England's selection commitee thought I'd want to run the whole show. They were shrewd then, because that's exactly what I would have done.'