I was very fortunate at the age of 22 to be invited back to Sheffield Wednesday to coach in their academy program and was really around some incredible people, incredible mentors who in my formative years of learning how to be a coach could really, really help me grow as a person and a coach.

My brain was always working faster than my feet would do. I wasn't fortunate enough to be gifted with the most abilities as a player. At 16, I went on my first coaching course. It became a journey where I was really interested in helping learn how other people develop and maybe the psychological part of it as well as the physical. Found myself just really wanting to pursue this career.

As a coach, that is something I expect from players. It's a non-negotiable that they come to work hard and are committed to each other and the team and making certain that at the very least they give a good day's effort and commitment to the work.

I've got nice soft, clean hands, but I think (that blue-collar environment) definitely shaped my mentality, especially when times become difficult and maybe you have a fork in the road. You're saying to yourself, "Which way should I go here?" Hard work and commitment and a desire to continue and perserve was always at the forefront of my mind.

In 1996, I came to America and almost had to begin again. I was offered a position over here in Arizona, and so I went to ask my granddad who basically lived in the same square mile of land all his life and asked him what he thought. He said, "You know what? You should give it a go." He told me some stories and wished me the best and said, "If it doesn't work out, you can come live back here." I went to see my dad, and he basically said exactly the same thing. I was hoping that the first person kind of said, "No, don't do this." Then it would've stopped me.

In the first year, I probably could've gone home most days. There was a moment where I was offered a position at Fulham Football Club, coming back (to England). I thought, "I'm definitely going to do this. I'm definitely going to try this." But when I got back to Arizona and the sun was shining and the pools were open ... I decided that I would stay in the U.S.

During my time with the Colorado Rapids — I was there eight seasons — I started in the academy ... and basically had every job all the way through the organization. That was important. I've worked in basically every piece of it. I think it helps you understand what other people go through.

Probably a core philosophy of mine would be the higher you go in an organization, you have to help the people that people perceive to be in a lower position than you. Help them get what they want. You have to serve them and help them achieve their dreams.