Steve McManaman has swapped La Liga for the Premiership, Madrid for Manchester and he can't wait to kick-off the new chapter in his football career at the City of Manchester Stadium. Over the past 12 months the media over here has been full of speculation as to Steve's future. We put a bit of that speculation to bed in the first part of givemefootball's EXCLUSIVE interview with Steve. Today Brian Beard asks the questions as 'Macca' assesses his immediate future at City as well as his more than fruitful spell with Real Madrid.
Q:THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERING ACCOUNTS OF YOUR TIME IN SPAIN, SO HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE FOUR YEARS YOU SPENT AS A REAL MADRID PLAYER?
A:Everyone knows about the two Champions League Finals and the two League championships but the fact of the matter is that, in four years, we played in a total of 11 finals and I think we won eight trophies and I think that speaks for itself.
Q:AND THE PRESS OVER HERE WAS FULL OF STORIES ABOUT YOU NOT PLAYING ON A REGULAR BASIS?
A:You know what, I think I averaged something like 40 games a season, for the four years I was there. That included times when I was out injured or games that wouldn't ordinarily be included in appearance totals, games like playing in Brazil in the World Club Championships.
Q:SO IT'S FAIR TO SAY YOU HAD A GOOD TIME IN SPAIN?
A:I had a marvellous time and I have played with the greatest footballers on this planet and they are all my friends so the four years were four fantastic years and every year we won something. And the fans were superb and we were hero worshipped and greeted as such on the streets, so it was an incredible time.
Q:BUT IF YOU WERE TO GO BY NEWSPAPER STORIES OVER HERE YOUR TIME IN SPAIN WAS A FAILURE?
A:That doesn't even merit a comment. Anyone who studies the record books will know the truth. The fact is that although last year I never played as much as I would have liked to I still played a hell of a lot and that fact should not detract from the four outstanding years I had with Real Madrid.
Q:WHAT IS LEFT FOR STEVE MCMANAMAN NOW BECAUSE YOU STILL HAVE A FEW YEARS AHEAD OF YOU IN THE GAME?
A:I am only just 31 now and my aim is to try and take Manchester City to a new level and to try and be successful with them. I'm really looking forward to this new chapter in my career because there are exciting times around the club with a new stadium and new players etc. There is a real buzz around the place.
Q:WHAT DO YOU THINK MANCHESTER CITY ARE CAPABLE OF?
A:As much as it might be considered very hard to win the league I think as long as we show a progression, year on year, it will be considered successful.
Q:NOW, I HAVE KNOWN YOU SINCE BEFORE YOU STARTED SHAVING AND YOU`RE A MODEST KIND OF CHAP BUT WOULD YOU SAY YOU ARE A BETTER PLAYER NOW COMPARED TO WHEN YOU LEFT LIVERPOOL FOR REAL MADRID?
A:Yes, I think so. You couldn't help but improve after four years of playing with and against the kind of players I have.
Q:DAVID BECKHAM HAS MADE THE REVERSE JOURNEY AND SWAPPED MANCHESTER FOR MADRID, HOW DO YOU THINK HE WILL FAIR?
A:To be honest, everyone knows what a fantastic player Becks is, I don't think there is any debate on that point. In Spain you are either fantastic or awful so I think he will be judged on how well Real Madrid do, rather unfairly but that is what happens. I am delighted for him and I think he is quite happy as well.
