Under the microscope

CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS?

YES, I could probably still just about manage that one! I still feel fit, but it is a different sort of fitness now. I do more long distance running and gym work whereas when I was a player it was more about speed endurance. I still like to train about four times a week.

GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?

YES, I’m pretty conscious of that. One of the beauties of being around the England team is that I am conscious of the nutrition advice the players get and that has a knock-on effect on me. I always think if I am the head coach, I should be setting an example as well. The changes in the game on diet since I was playing have been incredible.

ANY VICES?

I’M A believer in anything in moderation. Even when I was playing I enjoyed eating puddings, but I ensured I was burning it straight off. I enjoy my food and drink, but all at the right time. Perhaps my vice is vanity.

EVER HAD PLASTIC SURGERY?

WELL come on — seriously, where would I have started? No.

ANY FAMILY AILMENTS?

NO, WE’VE been very fortunate to never have anything like that in my family history. Generally, I’d say we’re all in pretty good nick.

WORST ILLNESS/INJURY

I WAS pretty lucky during my playing career in that the only operation I had was to pin my shoulder. The longest period I ever had out was two months after I damaged ligaments in my knee.

COPE WELL WITH PAIN?

I MIGHT have a different answer to that than the rest of my family (wife Alison and children Mia, 18 and Flynn, 14) but my answer would be ‘of course I do’. As a player you go through quite a few injuries, so you get on with it.

HANGOVER CURE?

I’VE come to the conclusion that in the end it is the loss of sleep that goes with drinking which is the problem. I comfort eat like everyone else, but does that really make a difference in the end? No, probably not.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE?

I FIND it easy to get off to sleep, but sometimes I wake up in the night. I’ve always been a guy who starts to think about things after waking up. But I get plenty of sleep, so it is not a concern for me.

ANY PHOBIAS?

I’M NOT hugely keen on rollercoasters or anything at high speed or massive height.

EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?

NO, BUT I’ve had challenging periods at different stages of my life.

WANT TO LIVE FOR EVER?

THAT depends on the quality of my life. I’d say yes but if I don’t have all my faculties, it isn’t really the same is it? I’d like to live for as long as I am useful to people, my family, and not a burden.

Gareth supports Fa Lidl Skills, football coaching for boys and girls aged five to 11. Lidl.co.uk/football