Wednesday 31 January 2018 15:53, UK
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says he hopes the team can keep Bill Belichick and Tom Brady together for some time to come.
Head coach Belichick and quarterback Brady have been at the Patriots for 17 years, and will make their eighth appearances with the team at Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix.
Speaking exclusively to Richard Graves, Kraft was evasive on the futures of 40-year-old Brady, who earlier this week said he is unsure on his New England future, and Belichick.
"We are blessed to have great coaching staff and a great group of players and in Belichick and Brady, we think we have the best ever in our 97-year history," said Kraft.
"Our job in ownership is to try and keep it together as best we can and keep it going for as long as we can."
Asked whether they will be back with the Patriots next season, regardless of Sunday's result, Kraft replied: "That's my belief."
Kraft, who has owned the club since 2004, had high praise for Brady and Belichick's work ethic and attitude.
"They both work exceptionally hard, they are focused. Tom goes home and he'll watch film the next day for seven hours," said Kraft.
"Bill has a team meeting starting at 7.30-8am, some nights I leave late at 9.15pm, he's there watching film. He puts in long days.
"They work very hard at their craft and have good support people and great coaches."
He added: "They are both hungry and maybe that is driven by a little insecurity or whatever it is which keeps pushing them and they're never satisfied. We're pretty lucky at New England to have that kind of people managing resources."
The Patriots could achieve their sixth Championship win in Minneapolis on Sunday, 25 years after Kraft bought an organisation which had never won a championship, and Kraft says it is the team's execution that has helped with their success.
"We have a system here, we develop a culture, everyone truly does do team first and then you need everything to fall into place," added Kraft.
"We know people in this world who talk big games. In the end it's about execution, can you make it happen? They have been very good at doing that."
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