Former Arsenal star Alexander Hleb has explained why Arsene Wenger got the best out of him and Pep Guardiola failed in that regard.
Hleb starred for the Gunners from 2005 until 2008 before leaving for Barcelona.
The midfielder was a key part of the Wenger side which went close winning the Champions League in 2006, only to lose 2-1 to Barcelona.
Hleb has admitted he should have never left the Gunners and has now gone into more detail on why.
The Belarus' international explained that Wenger was a father figure to him and also had the right words to say in tough moments.
“Wenger is like a father to me. It was really easy to work with him, you always felt his support," Hleb told Planet Football.
“During my first season in England, I picked up an injury while playing for the national team. So, as I was trying to recover from it, I told Arsene that maybe it would make sense to send me on loan to Germany or something.
“He was like, ‘Stop it! I believe in you! Don’t even think about things like that.’ Honestly? I just flew out of the room. It really felt like I had wings.
“Arsene truly feels his players. He says exactly what a player needs to hear. I think there are very few guys who might say that they haven’t enjoyed working with him. Everyone felt like they would get a chance. And I think most players who left ultimately regretted it.”
Whilst Hleb readily admits he was at fault for not fulfilling his potential at Barcelona, the 38-year-old reveals that a 'younger' Guardiola was not the ideal coach for him during his struggles in Spain due to the Spaniard's own issues at the time.
“It was all my fault,” Hleb added on why his stint at Barcelona was unsuccessful. “I was nervous because of the things that were going on in my life at that time and I didn’t really listen to anyone.
“Guardiola was a young coach with no experience of managing any first teams so he probably couldn’t find the right words as quickly as Wenger. He needed that support himself.
“I remember Numancia beating us in the opening game of the season. All the players were about to join their national teams so I asked Guardiola when I had to return to Barcelona. His answer? ‘Alex, I might not even be here when you come back!’
“But he found his support. Players were behind him. Especially the Spanish guys – Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi and others.”
