Gareth Barry

I have always said that management is not something I fancied, but it's suddenly, naturally started to enter my head.

The main reason I have joined Everton is not to try to help my England ambitions - that will come if I am playing consistently well for Everton.

When you play a lot of games in a row, and you come off the pitch thinking, 'I can't do this no more,' then it is time to look at something else, whether you have six months left on your contract or four years.

While I could still play in the Premier League, I really did not want to go abroad. I was not thinking about winding down my career.

I'm not one to plan, but I'm always positive about things.

I feel at Manchester City I will get the chance to play regularly in my best position and play a big part in a successful side.

Reports you read in the paper, you never know how true they are.

I've got three brothers and two sisters. Dad was a plumber who worked really hard to support six children, and Mum was busy at home. The four brothers shared a room, a bunk bed on each side. It wasn't luxurious.

Confidence and momentum are huge in sport.

You do hear a lot about 'player power,' but I'm one of those who believes the manager is there to take control, to be in charge.

It was Martin O'Neill who said, 'You're a central midfielder.' He put faith into players. He was very clever at getting into players' heads, leaving little remarks to make me believe more. The players at Villa all moved up another level under him.

In 2012, we had just won the league with City, and I was really high on confidence going into the Euros when I picked up an injury, which meant I couldn't go.