What was your first impression of Kingston?

My first memory was the view from the plane — on the left side I saw green hills and I thought of Black Forest, my home in Germany. I never thought of the island as being green. I had only seen the beaches on the television. The warmth and friendliness of the people became apparent the moment I landed.

What’s the most memorable meal that you have enjoyed in Kingston?

A lobster dinner at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel.

What would you do if you were mayor of Kingston for a day?

I like history and don’t understand why the older buildings in Kingston are not restored and preserved. Culture is very important for the future generations.

What would be your recommendations to a first-time visitor to Kingston?

I would tell them to leave their hotels and experience everything: Visit Trench Town and learn about the life of Bob Marley and go to Coronation Market.

What’s your beverage of choice?

Red wine. Life is too short to not enjoy a glass of good red wine. I also enjoy Campari.

Share the title of the last book you read.

Touchdown by John Grisham.

What was the last bit of music you listened to that you enjoyed?

Mozart, on the soundtrack for the film Amadeus. Now that I am here in Jamaica, I hear much more Bob Marley than before. I like music for dreaming because it puts me in the frame of mind to think better.

What cologne are you splashing?

It’s a Gucci fragrance. My wife and daughter usually buy me cologne.

Share some places in your (travel) black book.

Devon and Yorkshire Dales in England — they are beautiful in their own way. I also love Bangkok. Berlin in Germany, which I saw two versions of when I was young; I am very happy the Wall is gone. I enjoy the old style of Paris. I love Rome where my daughter now lives. I like Jerusalem as well. As a young football player I played in Israel in 1968, two days after the historic Six-Day War.

Who is your sporting hero?

Bobby Moore, an English football player. He was a gentleman in football. I also admired the German midfielder Helmut Haller.

Besides football, what other sport do you like?

I like golf but not just as a game. It’s three people together and you play for a long time while socialising. When we played in Kansas City, I was watching American football on the big screen television in the hotel and I wondered about the plays in the game. A man explained the rules of the game and now I like it. Also, I now enjoy cricket which my driver here in Jamaica has introduced me to.

What’s the plan to take the Reggae Boyz to the World Cup in 2018?

I need good talent. We need to work together and have good cooperation — not tomorrow — but today and build a good team. The qualifications will be in three years, so we need to identify and develop talent between the ages of 17 to 21 years old.

If you could meet any three persons — living or dead — on the football field, who would they be?

I would want Jesus Christ there. Nelson Mandela, who I met in 1996 in Johannesburg but didn’t get to talk to. He was an idol for everybody. And Bob Marley.

What do you consider your best and worst traits?

You would have to ask my wife what my best quality is. My worst trait is that I eat too much and like it.

What was your last major splurge?

When I was in Switzerland, I treated my family to dinner at a very expensive restaurant. I love my family. It’s not very easy for me. I stay here and they reside abroad.

What is your philosophy?

Always work hard, but take time to enjoy life.