Employing one of his fairly limited repertoire of impressions, Gareth Southgate reflected on the potential success of English clubs in the Champions League and how it could dent his chances of winning the Nations League.
'As an Aussie coach I know says, 'Good luck with that, mate',' he said. His audience mistakenly assumed it was Eddie Jones, when in fact it was Alastair Clarkson of Aussie Rules fame.
But England's manager is nevertheless watching some of the more prominent members of his squad pursue club football's greatest prize while wondering when he might get them for the national team's best chance of lifting a trophy since 1966.
Gareth Southgate fears domestic club success in Europe could affect England's chances
The Champions League final is on June 1 and England compete in Nations League in June
'It could be a mess,' Southgate conceded at St George's Park on Wednesday after announcing his squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.
'Let's say two of our teams made it to the Champions League final. We wouldn't see them, at best, until the Monday before we play on the Thursday.
'We've reached a semi-final, qualified six months ago for what is a great opportunity to win something, then you don't get the team together.
'And with the emotion of that game (the Champions League final), can those players even realistically play on the Thursday night for us?
'Our preparation will be here (at St George's Park), broken up with breaks at home to give players the space that they would all need to psychologically switch off, and we'd have to look at Champions League final players when we get to it.'
With the plan to head to Portugal the day before that semi-final against Holland in Guimaraes on June 6, two training sessions at the national football centre is not exactly ideal.
But Southgate can at least plan in the knowledge that perhaps the most exciting selection he made yesterday will not be affected by events in Madrid on June 1.
Declan Rice was in the squad as expected yesterday and, while Southgate is clearly
