Sven-Goran Eriksson might have been dubbed 'Ice Man' for the lack of emotion he showed during his England days - but the new Manchester City manager has revealed he will be as nervous as anyone when his team runs out at West Ham tomorrow.
With eight new signings, none of whom have any Premier League experience, and only a month to prepare, Eriksson realises there is an element of unknown about his team.
But, after almost seven years out of the day-to-day club environment, the Swede cannot wait to get started.
"I will be nervous," he said. "You can feel the fact the games are about to start.
"I will be able to get up on Monday and count the points everyone has got.
"I always said the only thing I missed about being an international manager was the daily work with the players.
"Now I am here and ready to go, so I am extremely happy about it."
With the search continuing for a senior goalkeeper to relieve the burden on England Under-21 international Joe Hart and a stalled pursuit of midfielder Mark Bresciano to revive, Eriksson feels it will be the end of the month before he can start to set targets for his first season in English club management.
However, after five-and-a-half seasons with England, Eriksson has been around long enough to know how much of a positive impact a fast start can have on the entire campaign, which is why he is not giving his squad a settling-in period.
"There has been a bit of a revolution here," he said
"The biggest challenge in bringing so many players in is to make them work together as a team as quickly as possible.
"Of course, it will take time to find our best team and our fans will have to be patient.
"But we still need to make a quick start because beginning well could be the difference between three, four, or five league positions at the end of the season."
City's trip to Upton Park represents the acid test of Eriksson's popularity in England.
Although he has received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from City supporters, there remains a lingering fear he could become the target of abuse from other clubs' followers, who were less than impressed by his stint as England manager.
Eriksson understands he may be subject to abuse but does not believe it will be significantly worse than any other opposing manager would get.
"I have never done anything wrong against West Ham, so I don't expect any different kind of treatment," the Swede said.
"Of course the away manager is not going to be as popular as the home one. I expect that, but nothing else."
But, after almost seven years out of the day-to-day club environment, the Swede cannot wait to get started.
"I will be nervous," he said. "You can feel the fact the games are about to start.
"I will be able to get up on Monday and count the points everyone has got.
"I always said the only thing I missed about being an international manager was the daily work with the players.
"Now I am here and ready to go, so I am extremely happy about it."
With the search continuing for a senior goalkeeper to relieve the burden on England Under-21 international Joe Hart and a stalled pursuit of midfielder Mark Bresciano to revive, Eriksson feels it will be the end of the month before he can start to set targets for his first season in English club management.
However, after five-and-a-half seasons with England, Eriksson has been around long enough to know how much of a positive impact a fast start can have on the entire campaign, which is why he is not giving his squad a settling-in period.
"There has been a bit of a revolution here," he said
"The biggest challenge in bringing so many players in is to make them work together as a team as quickly as possible.
"Of course, it will take time to find our best team and our fans will have to be patient.
"But we still need to make a quick start because beginning well could be the difference between three, four, or five league positions at the end of the season."
City's trip to Upton Park represents the acid test of Eriksson's popularity in England.
Although he has received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from City supporters, there remains a lingering fear he could become the target of abuse from other clubs' followers, who were less than impressed by his stint as England manager.
Eriksson understands he may be subject to abuse but does not believe it will be significantly worse than any other opposing manager would get.
"I have never done anything wrong against West Ham, so I don't expect any different kind of treatment," the Swede said.
"Of course the away manager is not going to be as popular as the home one. I expect that, but nothing else."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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