Bengaluru, July 28: Chelsea FC midfielder and Spanish international Cesc Fabregas has said that he consider's Arsenal FC manager and his former boss Arsene Wenger as a 'father figure' to him.
Arsene Wenger had brought a young Fabregas from Barcelona's youth setup and introduced to the worl. Fabregas bloomed to world class player under the French manager.
Speaking about Wenger, Fabregas said: "Arsene Wenger was probably the most important [manager] because he gave me the chance - the real chance that everyone needs and everyone wants.
"After that it's up to you to prove whether they are right or wrong, it's in your hands.
"He gave me the chance. He took me when I was only 16, made me a better player, a better person, and was like a second father with the way he treated me. It's not normal nowadays in football because everything is so fast and everyone is so impatient. You need results now.
"So for that Wenger is a special manager, a special person, and I know without him I wouldn't be here right now."
Fabregas had moved to his childhood club FC Barcelona in 2010 where spent 4 seasons under manager Pep Guardiola.
The Spanish midfielder spoke highly about Guardiola and considered him as a very good manager.
On Guardiola, he said: "With Pep, obviously I learned a different way to play football tactically, in terms of team effort.
"We were playing with great players as well, so it becomes a little bit easier in terms of winning titles. When I was there we won six titles in three years, so many great games, and I enjoyed it a lot."
Cesc returned to England in 2014 to join Chelsea. He played under manager Jose Mourinho, who he regards as one of the best managers in the world right now.
He said: "Working with Mourinho was fantastic. I learned a lot from him, his passion for football, his character, his ambition to always win.
"It's not easy. The way he pushes his players to improve every day is what impresses me the most."
OneIndia News