Gus Poyet may have enjoyed a successful playing career in both Spain and England, but the likeable Uruguayan still has one major regret. He never got to experience the unbridled joy and passion of a World Cup.
The Uruguayan was a major success at Real Zaragoza where he won the Copa Del Rey and UEFA Cup. He enjoyed continued success as part of a Chelsea side that claimed the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and European Super Cup, while in his time with Tottenham he became a cult hero thanks to his spectacular goals.
Despite this glittering club career Poyet was unfortunate to play in an era when Uruguay failed to qualify for two World Cups. That is not to say that he did not experience good times with the South Americans. He won the Copa America in 1995, when he was voted the player of the tournament, and compiled a total of 26 caps over a seven-year period.
"My dream is to one day manage a side at the World Cup as one of the biggest regrets of my career was not being able to go as a player," explains the current Brighton manager. "I would jump at the chance to manage my country or even somebody else. I would just love to be involved in any kind of capacity."
Poyet has only recently made his move into management having learnt his trade as a coach under former teammate Dennis Wise at Swindon and Leeds, and then under Juande Ramos at Spurs where the pair led the north London club to a Carling Cup final victory over Chelsea.
The transition from first team coach to manager is one that Poyet seems to have made with some ease. Taking over struggling Brighton, he managed to turn the clubs fortunes around and lead them to a respectable 13th place finish.
"It was a very progressive process as I managed to learn my trade under two very different managers. It gave me a view of what is needed to succeed and I had a clear idea of what needed to be done. The fact that I had played in League One also helped as I knew the level and the division very well."
The former attacking midfielder was nicknamed 'the radio' by teammates such was his insistence to continually discuss everything about the previous match. It is this passion that has been transferred to the Brighton players who Poyet credits for the way they pulled together and moved towards safety.
He compares this spirit and togetherness with his fellow Uruguayans who struggled to automatically qualify for the World Cup before eventually securing safe passage via the play offs.
"In Uruguay we have a real team mentality. There is no individual bigger than the team and everyone pulls together for the success of the group. I think that this determination can help any group so I constantly try to get this point across to the Brighton lads."
Poyet hopes that his ambition to succeed can be matched at Brighton as he plans to push for the play offs and promotion next term. "In the last few seasons the club has looked to go up but they have struggled to avoid relegation. This brings a fearful attitude into the club and the players are nervous. Hopefully if I can work with the right group of players then we can really challenge next season."
Now that the season has finished Poyet will be flying back to his homeland for a well deserved break, but his mind will not stray too far from football as he watches Uruguay in South Africa with a touch of jealousy and regret.
Although he is hoping that Uruguay can rediscover the form that saw them win the tournament in 1930 and 1950, Poyet thinks that a number of sides have a chance of being crowned world champions.
"Over the last few years in South America, Brazil have been the team to beat whereas in Europe it has been Spain. In a World Cup anything can happen and you can never count out the likes of England, Italy and Argentina. Who knows, maybe even an African side will spring a surprise. If I had to pick just one though, it would probably be Brazil."
While Poyet leaves behind the stress of management for a few short weeks he will watch on intently and hope that one day it will be him leading our a Uruguay side at a World Cup.
