What are your thoughts on the progress France have made under Laurent Blanc?
Laurent inherited a team in a tricky situation because he had to do without some players due to the penalties and sanctions after the World Cup (several players were suspended for disciplinary reasons). The progress is one, the results, because they qualified directly for the European Championship. Two is building a new team, so he has to make a combination between experienced players and the younger ones.
Which lesser-known French players should England fans be looking out for in Euro 2012?
The young French players that they may not know, but should be looking out for, include Loic Remy, who plays for Marseille. He started at Lyon, went to Nice and is now at Marseille. He is quick and can be a handful. Probably Kevin Gameiro, who plays for Paris. He is a goalscorer and is quick as well. In midfield, Moussa Sissoko from Toulouse. I don't know whether Blanc will take Rafael Varane, but he is a young centre-back who plays for Real Madrid.
You know a great deal about both the French and English national sides what do you expect from their match when they play each other in their Euro 2012 group game?
It's the first match, so I think it will be a draw. It will be very hard and competitive, but I think it will be a draw. The French fans, like the English ones, expect to go through. It's not the most difficult group, but we didn't have a difficult group in the World Cup either, so we have to be careful. Playing Ukraine will be tricky because they are the hosts, and you never know about Sweden, who qualified for the finals from a very tough group.
As a former technical director at Clairefontaine, what are the most important factors in helping young players develop?
To be successful in the development of young professionals, there are five criteria. 1-Get the best talent from the start, so scouting is important. 2-Have your own proper facilities - pitches, physios and so on. Don't share with professionals. 3-Have a coach who is a specialist, and someone who knows how to deal with youth players. 4-Have the right programme. The way you deal with players aged 15-17 is not the same as for players aged 18-20. So you have to have a programme that is age-appropriate. 5- To play on a regular basis. If you are just on the bench it can be prejudicial to your development.
Before the age of 16, the emphasis is on skills, technique and team work. At the age of 17 you start to do more tactical and physical work because the body is developing as well.
What have you made of your former club Liverpool’s progress this season?
Kenny is doing a good job. He is trying to change the team, and this is a transitional season. I don't mean they won't reach the top four - they could do that. When Steven Gerrard comes back they will be even better, they will get their leader and an exceptional player back. They are making good progress. They have been a bit unlucky at times. Decisions have gone against them, and there have been games they have dominated but didn't score. At the moment they could do with five or six more points.
How close do you believe Liverpool are to being able to challenge for the Premier League title?
Not this season, but they have made the right choices regarding players, so as they gel, next season should be better. It's a bit like Manchester City, who are far better this season than last. You have to remember this is Andy Carroll's first full season with Liverpool, but I think the next three months will be crucial for him.
Given the club’s illustrious past and the fans’ expectations, are there unique pressures and challenges that come with managing Liverpool?
It brings more pressure, but it also brings more possibility to win. When a club has a culture a history and a philosophy of winning silverware, that is what everybody aims for. There is no question of being happy with anything else. It's a good pressure because players arrive at the club knowing they are expected to perform and to win.
Could that be a potential problem for Manchester City, who do not have such an illustrious past?
It's different with City, because they have signed experienced players who have won things elsewhere. Those players have brought the winning mentality with them to the club, so I don't think it will be a problem.
Were you surprised to see both Manchester clubs knocked out of the Champions League? What does it say about the strength of European football?
I was surprised to see Manchester United knocked out. I know from experience with Liverpool that Basel can be a difficult place to play, but I still expected them to go through. They did not have the luck they had at the beginning of the season. They probably threw away some points at home to Benfica and Basel. City were effectively knocked out when they didn't get a draw at Napoli. But that's football. These things can happen, and you have to get on with it.
Sir Alex's priority will now be the Premier League, but you only have to get through a couple of rounds in the Europa League and you are right in contention. It's a trophy even though it may not be as big as the Champions League. There are some very good teams in there with both Manchester teams, Ajax, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Porto, so it's not an easy competition to win.
I don't know if this year's Champions League necessarily shows the strength of European football. Take APOEL Nicosia - they don't have many Cypriot players in their team, but a lot of Brazilians. We have to admit that football is global now. Liverpool fans don't care who scores as long as he has the shirt on. If it's Luis Suarez, he'll be as popular as Michael Owen.
Michael Owen has said he would rather feature occasionally for a top side than play every game for a weaker one – having managed Michael and his world class ability at Liverpool do you sympathise with that view?
Yes, I respect it. I know his age, which plays a part. And I know his pride, he wants to play at the highest level. He's still a goalscorer.
As a natural finisher with a proven track record in internationals, could there be a place at Euro 2012 for Michael Owen?
I don't think so, because I don't think he falls in Fabio Capello's plans. That's my view, and maybe I'm wrong. All I can say is that he needs to be monitored, because he can always score goals in any competition. If you have a lot of injuries, he is someone who can come in and perform. If he plays on a regular basis he can still be a contender.
What career plans do you personally have for the future; would you like to remain in football in some capacity?
First I need to get my health back, and I'm on the way to recovery. I'm doing some TV work that I'm quite happy with.
Who was your footballing hero as a boy?
It was Raymond Kopa, who played for Reims and Real Madrid, and also for the French national team. He was an outstanding playmaker who played with Di Stefano, Puskas and all these great players at Real Madrid. He was at the 1958 World Cup when France got third place and was one of the first French players to go abroad. He got to the European Cup final with Reims, then went to Real Madrid.
Who was the most talented player you ever worked with?
Michel Platini probably. More recently, Steven Gerrard, who has got everything on the technical side and the mental side. Platini and Gerrard are both inspirational players, who lead by example. It's important to have a driving force in the team who knows what to say to the players. I made Steven captain of Liverpool when he was 22, but his age didn't matter because his performances earned him the respect of the whole squad.
Outside of football, who is the person you most admire and why?
The lady in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi. You admire people for their courage and character, standing up for their beliefs. To do what she did, especially as a lady, is amazing. And I think things are improving now in Burma.
What player that has graced the Barclays Premier League in the past 20 years stands out for you and why?
Definitely Thierry Henry. Because of the goals he scored and the style he brought. He changed things at Arsenal, in the way they played as a team. He brought something special and scored a lot of goals. You could say Giggs because of his longevity and consistency.
If you hadn't been a football manager, what career would you have had instead?
I was a teacher before, but maybe a translator.
What was your first car?
It was a Citroen 2CV.
What in your opinion is the greatest song ever recorded?
My Way by Frank Sinatra, or With Or Without You by U2.
Have you sung it at Karaoke - if not, what do you sing?
I never sing. Never.
What's your TV guilty pleasure (what do you like to watch when you have time?)
Match of the Day ... maybe because it's got two former Liverpool players on the panel so I am a bit biased. Away from football, I like to watch programmes about animals on National Geographic. Safaris, things like that.
If somebody made a film of your life, which actor would you like to play you?
Harrison Ford.
What's the nicest place you've ever visited?
Bryce Canyon. It's near the Grand Canyon, but for me it's superior. It's fantastic. It's like a cathedral in the ground.
If you could throw a dinner party for any three people in history, dead or alive, who would they be?
I was going to say Winston Churchill, John F Kennedy and Charles De Gaulle, but I might swap in Henry VIII for De Gaulle - it would be more fun!
What would you cook for them?
What do you mean 'cook'? I would have to cook bacon and eggs, but I'd rather serve them beef stroganoff.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Spring 2001, when we won the League Cup, the FA Cup and UEFA Cup with Liverpool.
What is your favourite sport apart from football?
I like rugby and athletics, but I would say tennis. Roger Federer is my favourite player. I also like the French players Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet. Tsonga is doing really well at the moment, but for me Federer is the one. I'm amazed by his consistency over the years. Every now and then he goes down, but he always bounces back. Talent always comes through.
