Michael Essien Quotes

When I watch professional football, I love listening to John Madden because I know he knows what he's talking about. He's been both down in the trenches and in front of the bench as a coach. He knows the game.

I first came up under Joe Royle and when Keegan took over it was even better for me because I felt his style added more to my game.

Working under Pep Guardiola, a chance like that doesn't come along too often. That's no disrespect to Mauricio Pochettino, but the people that Pep has worked with grow as players.

You know over 20 years I played for a number of managers and dozens of coaches. I don't know any of them that I didn't learn something from to help make me a better player.

I've cut my teeth as a coach with some great head coaches and some great co-workers and I have been very lucky to have learned a lot of football from all of the above.

Over my NFL career, I've had five head coaches who have helped me become better at my craft and have helped me become a better human being: Jim Mora, Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell, John Fox, Gary Kubiak.

With me and Portland, it wasn't moving anywhere. I wasn't given a bigger role as I played more and more with the club. I felt I could have been utilized in a bigger way.

Many players in the French squad play in the Premier League or have played in the Premier League, so I knew about the level.

I was 32 when I signed for Everton, and Roberto Martinez said, 'With your style of game, you can play until you're 40.' I'm sitting there laughing at him, but he was deadly serious. I still laughed.

A player senses when a coach loses confidence in him. That, more than anything, can throw a player.

I felt I could have been the kind of player Denver needed, but there were too many things going on with the team.

I had a good time at Chelsea and was accepted in the team, so it's difficult to explain why I left. My performances were good as well, but there was a time in my second season when I felt I didn't have the manager's trust any more and I didn't play many matches from the start.

The No. 1 job is to help a player reach their highest potential, and that's not possible without being able to relate with them. That's been helpful, and as far as my knowledge base is concerned, that stems from being around great coaches willing to share.

I'm not a one-hit wonder. When you look at my background, I think I've been successful at all stops along the way. I know the kind of responsibility it takes to be a head football coach.

At Osasuna I had a difficult experience because of the relegation battle but I always had a place in the team. I played well all season.

Even for great players, things don't go well at certain clubs and that's normal.

It's only natural that players will want to show a new manager what he can do.

You don't know a player until you coach him.

After a certain point I know my players so well, I can anticipate their reactions.

I was fortunate to play under Thomas Schaaf at Bremen. And I played for Arsene Wenger. So I always felt, let's say, more responsible than others towards the manager and his succession.

My dad has coached a long time, so there aren't too many conversations in my family that haven't centered around basketball.

I went through 15 years as a coach at Spurs working under seven, eight different managers. And every time a manager went, you weren't sure whether you'd still be there. Some people might worry about these things but I never have.

An internship with Pep Guardiola would be a huge present.

At Real Madrid, we have many good players that the team can learn from.

As a young kid, you never really understand what it takes to be a footballer: what it's like after you've won or what the changing room is like after a loss, or, as an individual, have you played a good game? Have you played a bad game?