How did talks on Thursday with Lee Charnley go?

"Fine. We have a good relationship and he's professional and I am professional.... and we were analysing things that were wrong and things that we could do in a different way....so quite positive.

Have you come to a decision about your future?

"No, not really. What we said in this meeting is we will have more meetings. So, again it was very positive in terms of the things that we were discussing.

"I can say to the fans that we will continue so obviously if I decide to come here it’s because I knew that was a massive club with massive support from the fans.

"That was my impression when I came and I'm really flattered with the fans because it has been amazing.

"I know they can be even more positive in the future but at the moment we have to be sure that we  prepare the game for tomorrow properly and after we will try to do the best for everyone: for me, for the club, for the fans, for everyone here.

Is this a big decision for you?

"Obviously. I am professional and I have been in this business for a while no? I am the kind of manager that has achieved what I have achieved working very hard. I was not a famous star as a player so I needed to work very hard.

"I have experienced two promotions with different clubs in Spain and I have experienced being relegated too....so I can understand that there are some people who say 'no he cannot stay', some people say 'he will do it'.

"That is a situation where we have to be calm, we have to be sure. What I want is the same as the fans want. We want a successful team, we want a strong team to be promoted to the Premier League again as soon as possible and that is the situation now.

"We have to talk, we will have more meetings and then we will see what happens. But if I am here and I am discussing these things, because obviously in my head it's a chance, it's a good chance and we have to keep talking.

What sort of assurances would you be looking for?

"I say before, it's like the fans - a strong team capable of being promoted quickly and to compete at the maximum level.

"It's not a question of money, it's a question of if we have a structure that can allow the club in the next year and in the future years to be strong and competing in the Premier League hopefully.

"I am happy to discuss all these things.....at the moment I am really pleased with the first conversation. I am really pleased with the people here - so the staff, players, directors - everyone here since I came has been fantastic.

"I cannot say other things, than I want to be sure that if everything is fine. It has to be fine for me, but also for the club, for the fans, for everyone.

When do you expect to come to a decision?

"It's difficult to say, it depends on the conversation but I think that a couple of weeks could be a decent time.

"In the meantime obviously we have a responsibility and we have been even working preparing the pre season and leaving everything ready for the next year.

"So we cannot say yes and then not have time to move things in a professional way. So we are working as professionals and we are talking and I think that a couple of weeks maximum and we will have an idea."

photo: nufc.co.uk