You must be very pleased with the performance?
"Yes, I am very pleased with the performance but I'm more pleased with the result that
we needed. All the things I demanded and that I wanted to see on that pitch actually happened today."
The fans bought into it. It felt like a big night for them?
"Absolutely. I said to the players, what you are able to transmit to the fans, they will
buy into it. If it's negative, they will be negative, if it's positive, they are willing
to help you guys.
"They are here to support you, they are fans and they want to see us perform like we did
today and thank you so much to them because when they are right behind them, you can tell
they are confident with the things they tried and the energy they brought to the game was
much better."
Are the players further ahead than you thought they'd be?
"Absolutely but the challenge is to maintain it."
Is this the level of fitness you're expecting and will it get better?
"I hope so. That wasn't the plan - I have to admit - but obviously they are suffering
a bit to maintain that level of intensity. I think it will come, it's part of the process
and they way we train.
"At the moment we don't have much time to do so but I really liked the resilience and
I like to see them suffer together. When they had to defend deeper I wanted to see that
reaction instead of getting annoyed with each other if someone gave the ball away it was
all positive reactions so I'm pleased with that too."
Xhaka really impressed the fans, do you think you can persuade him to stay?
"I think he's going to stay. He was very good (tonight). I really like him, I think the
way we want to play, (if) we get him on board, he can be a tremendous player for the football club."
Have you spoken to him about staying?
"Yes."
He's given you that assurance?
"He did yes."
Do you need a player like that?
"It's everything, his commitment. I like the way he is, the way he lives his profession,
the way he trained and how focused he is. Every time I talk, he's listening and is willing
to learn and is a great football player.
"The way we want to play, there are not many with his quality on the ball, the way he eliminates
passes, his range of pass so I'm delighted to have him."
How good has Lucas Torreira's game become since you arrived?
"Really good. He wants to fight for every ball, in training he fights for every inch.
He's starting to understand the whole picture better and that's what I'm trying to do.
"He's (been) superb. In the three games he's been top."
Do you see an ability to develop the fight in these players?
"Yes. I think you have to have some of them naturally and then you can be contagious about
them. I think we have some really good role models at the football club.
"We installed a good culture and a good way of living together so more will come up. They
just need a good platform, support and guidance and that's why we're here."
How significant can this result be?
"In the end we are judged by results and that's going to give them a massive lift in terms
of confidence. They can play against any opponent in this league, be better than them and dominate
them and compete against them - something that in my opinion for many weeks that haven't
been doing together.
"But as well for what we're trying to create that's not just worked, it's actually happening
and you can see it happening which generates more belief and that's only about wining games."
Can you compare winning as a player vs as a manager?
"It's much more stressful as a manager. I lost my voice talking to them (the players)
but I'm very pleased for them and as well for the fans.
"I am so happy that I turned around and saw smiling faces and the energy. I saw people
standing and that's what I want."
How difficult was it to lift the mood?
"That's why I told them, without you guys (the players) I won't be able to do it. You
have to open that door and believe that I can bring something different to the club
- we need all the staff to believe that as well. And if we are able to do that, day by
day, they buy into this.
"That's my feeling, they want to do it and they are starting to enjoy and hopefully it's a start"
What are your plans for Eddie Nketiah?
"I'm having a meeting tomorrow with Edu and Raul to go through all the loans and situations.
I know he's coming tomorrow so I will speak to him and try to make the best decision for him."