Nerves to the fore, and not just because of his almighty physical presence, he assuredly awaits my brief as I fiddle with the microphone, anxious to hear his views on Notts County.
I'm determined to scratch every little detail out of him regarding the pre-season preparations, not to mention the fourteen transfers he rapidly made, in order to form his new-look squad.
‘Thommo' oozes confidence as he reads the list of forthcoming questions. “I'm much better spontaneously," he quips, as I continue to look flustered at the opportunity before me.
It is clear from the off that Thompson is a calm yet imposing figure, experienced and forthright, as he prepares for what he believes is a very exciting opportunity at the helm of the World's Oldest Football League Club.
To see the man in charge of a whole range of emotions that I, and my fellow Magpies supporters, are sure to experience over the coming nine months, so at ease and collected with pre-season, is a refreshing change to the hustle and bustle of previous managers.
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Despite this, it is appropriate to point out that he wasn't, and still isn't, every Notts supporters favoured choice for the hotseat, with supporters up in arms due to his association with the previous reign of Colin Murphy in the mid-90's.
“If Terry Venables had been available, some people wouldn't have been happy,” Thompson says defiantly.
The former Lincoln boss is keen to be judged on his results, and he is in no doubt as to his determination to see the job through.
“I've been here before and I didn't fulfil my ambitions," he says.
"I have an affinity with the club, it's a massive club and it needs to be in the Championship.”
The Sheffield-born man was invited to apply for the job by the board, who had him in second place to Thordarson at this same stage last year.
Thompson was also asked to take the hotseat prior to Ian Richardson's spell in charge, but remained loyal to a pre-contract agreement he had with Cambridge United.
After just a few minutes in his company, it was clear that - despite his laid back presence - Thompson knows exactly what he is doing. The attributes that had surfaced made me sure that he was the right choice, and it is clear to see how easily he had won the Notts board over.
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Certainly, if the players follow his own confident manner, a much easier wave of emotions could be in store for the fans, with an attractive style of play also being drilled into the players during pre-season.
“I know what the Notts County supporters want, I know what kind of football they want”, he adds.
Thompson's first job was to build a squad virtually out of nothing, with Thordarson planning an overhaul of the squad that took the Magpies so close to relegation from the Football League.
“When I arrived here, the only senior players were Kevin Pilkington, Mike Edwards, David Pipe and young Stephen Hunt (Hunt had signed a pre-contract agreement under the previous management) who no-one had seen play. Then (there was) the young pro's, Liam Needham, Stef Frost and Jake Sheridan. It was a tough ask.”
But Thompson, who worked for BBC Radio Lincolnshire as a match summariser during Notts' pitiful last season, had agreed deals with many players prior to his arrival which meant he missed out on only two of his top transfer targets.
“I went around talking to the players and said if I got a job, would you be interested in joining me. I lost Steve Guinan (the Cheltenham forward), but if I had the job two weeks earlier he would have come.”
The other was Eddie Hutchinson, but, after 14 new arrivals, there will be no more signings on the way.
“I was given a budget to work to, and I've managed to go to within two pounds of that budget," he says.
Thompson is also willing to talk about NCM's recent exclusive report that Nottingham-born former Barnsley defender Matt Carbon was set to join the ranks.
“I offered Matt a deal," he confirms. "But through a little bit of his fault, and a little bit of our fault, he turned the only deal I could offer him down.”
Nevertheless, the Notts boss is pleased with the squad he already has in place. Talking about the players he inherited from the previous regime, he seems content.
“Pilkington is a very good goalkeeper at this level, Edwards has been a diamond since I arrived here, very consistent, and I've yet to see the best of David Pipe who cracked a rib in training”.
With no more signings expected, Thompson's completed squad list comprises of many versatile players, with League Two notorious for bringing the best out of whole squads rather than individual talent.
“What I've endeavoured to do is to get two players for every one position, and the main thing was to get experience of this level, and touch wood they are all getting on nicely," he smiles contently.
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"Because they have all heard of him, but nobody has yet seen him play” joked Thompson.
With midfield playmaker Ian Ross earmarked as the new Mark Draper, and Tom Curtis or Matt Somner the ball winners alongisde him, Thompson is clear that he wants to play with wingers, but he is tight-lipped regarding his first starting eleven. When pushed for an answer, he politely smiles.
Like every other Notts fan, Thompson knows that promotion would be ideal, but a sense of perspective is also required after two years of immense struggle. When the topic of conversation moved on to this seasons targets, Thompson played down his new side's potential.
“I've told the board I will finish a place above last seasons position,” he says.
However, it is clear that Thompson believes there will be far better times ahead.
“I'm quietly confident we will have a good season," he says, with the understated confidence that has been apparent throughout the interview.
"I have put targets to the players, but that's between me and the players."
Like myself, Notts fans will have to wait nervously in Thompson's company, to see if those targets are fulfilled. If Thompson has anything to do with it, they certainly will be.