"Our identity is intensity!"

It is a special moment for me! I am really proud to be the Salzburg coach. Everyone in world football knows that this is a club that produces talent, has a clear identity and has a really strong academy - I am really happy to be here!

In the first place, I have to say something about the city - wow, it's impressive!  I came here a week early on purpose so I could go around and see the city. It's beautiful, classic and so clean as well. I am really happy that I can represent this city and this club.

This academy is so strong, it is probably one of the top four in the world of football. I've been there already, and it's impressive, with the building and the amount of players. When Jürgen [Klopp] asked me in October of November last year what I wanted, the only thing I said was that I want a club with a strong academy. Young players will run through walls for you, while older players might look for the gap in the wall.

I love the pitch! My passion is to work with players and to help them to become the best versions of themselves. I'm also a simple guy, though. I've learnt that the most simple ideas are also the best ones and you don't need to reinvent things in football.

It was important that our players feel immediately that our identity is intensity! I spoke to the team to make really clear how we want to play, to have the ball in the opponents' half and if we lose it, we want to win it back, and for that we have to press really well.

My family and I have been really warmly welcomed. After my family left Salzburg, my ten-year-old son said 'I miss Salzburg already'. From that moment, I knew this was right.

I have been following Salzburg for a long time.  It's important they fit with my ideas and style. My heart from the start said Salzburg. I have come here to create a team that can surprise a lot of people - that is the target!

I want eleven captains, that's the main thing. Everyone has to own the responsibility on and off the pitch. I spoke to the team that we want to create a leadership group of five players who act as a face of the team. It's important that the actual captain represents the club in the best possible way and has a really good relationship with myself. 

I am a loyal guy. I spent five years at PSV, seven at Porto and ten at Liverpool. If you go into a project together, in my opinion the main thing you have to show together is loyalty. In football and in life, you don't know what the next day will bring, but I am really invested with a lot of passion and belief for this season and next season.