Germany favourites for Euro 2016: Andy Cole

You've been part of glorious Manchester United sides. What is it that has changed within the system?
Football hasn't massively changed. The pace is slightly different, but at the end of the day the aim of the game is to score goals to win games. It's a different team and a different manager from when I played and instrumental changes like that take time to bed in.

How would you rate the current squad and the manager? How different is Louis van Gaal's philosophy to Alex Ferguson's?
I haven't played for the current manager and I don't know him as well. So, it's difficult for me to say. They have very different styles and personalities. Being two different people, it's hard to compare them. They both have a vast amount of experience with big clubs, managing big names and have been very successful. I think we have some great talent in the current squad, there are a lot of young players who have a lot of potential. I think Cameron Borthwick-Jackson played well against Stoke and it'll be good to see how he develops as a young player.

How important do you think Pep Guardiola's signing for Manchester City will be for the English Premier League?
It will be very interesting. He's such a big player in world football and he's had phenomenon success at big clubs like Barcelona and Bayern. It'll be interesting to see how he copes in the Premier League. It's a difficult league to be in and these days the games and fixtures can be gruelling.

With the advent of the Indian Super League, football in India is growing. But will such a big tournament be enough for quality footballers to develop? What more does the Indian federation need to do?
Football in India is growing and the ISL has helped that. The club has visited a few times recently, hosting fan events in Delhi last season and more recently in Bengaluru in January. The response to these events has been amazing. You can really see how the passion for the game has grown.

As far as developing players, the investment needs to be made at a youth level. If you can get kids interested in the sport and teach them at a young age then you're investing in the next generation of players. India has this infrastructure within cricket and something similar would work for football.

Throughout your Manchester United career, you've always had stiff competition for the starting XI but you managed to claw your way back. What is it that kept you going when the chips were down?
I think a bit of competition is good. It keeps you fresh and keeps your drive and motivates you. Footballers, in fact anyone who plays a sport professionally, are naturally competitive and you want to play, so that gives you the drive to be the best. Playing for the biggest club in the world is a great honour and that also drives you.

You've been an epitome as far as fitness is concerned. What are the day-to-day things that you did differently to keep yourself so fit?
I enjoy staying fit and it's something I have done all my life. So, it's difficult to undo what is natural to me. I've always had to watch what I eat and drink and stay fit and just kept it up after I retired. I've got kids and they keep you fit.

Who do you think is the fittest player in the world currently?
Fitness and conditioning has developed a lot since I played. It was good then but the technology and ability to analyse this area of the sport is amazing. It's big part of the job now as the competition is tougher, the season is tough and players have to be at the top of their game.

Do you think England have the squad to be genuine title contenders for this year's Euro? Who do you think are the favourites?
Germany are the favourites. As for England's chances, I'm not sure, I think the squad or the players available can compete with the top teams.

Lastly, what do you want to be remembered as?
I'm just enjoying life at the moment. I'm not sure what I will want to be remembered for.


KNOW ANDY
Full name: Andrew Alexander Cole
Date of birth: October 15, 1971
Place of birth: Nottingham, England
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Position: Striker

Senior career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1992 Arsenal 1 (0)
1992–1993 Bristol City 41 (20)
1993–1995 Newcastle United 70 (55)
1995–2001 Manchester United 195 (93)
2001–2004 Blackburn Rovers 83 (27)
2004–2005 Fulham 31 (12)
2005–2006 Manchester City 22 (9)
2006–2007 Portsmouth 18 (3)
2007–2008 Sunderland 7 (0)
2008 Nottingham Forest 10 (0)

National team (England)
Appearances: 15
Goals: 1