The relationship between a player and a manager is a pretty special one that precedes all the politics that goes on within the club. The bond grows over time, and despite separation, it rarely fades away. For a young player, the influence of his coach goes much beyond the football boundaries as the latter serves not only as his mentor, but also as his teacher, nurturing their career like any teacher would do. It is always a delightful scene to watch players re-unite with their old managers, even if it means that the two are going against each other. In this slideshow, we present you five such moments:
#5 Robin van Persie and Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger greeting his former player Robin van Persie during a matchup between Manchester United and Arsenal.
Unlike the other re-union stories in the list, this is perhaps the most sour one. Robin van Persie has always been criticized for his move to rivals Manchester United in the 2012-13 season, with many of the fans even calling him a traitor. However, things haven’t been all bitter between Robin van Persie and his former boss at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger who still calls him an Arsenal man.
"Of course it's strange because for me he is an Arsenal man," Wenger told reporters last season when asked about how he felt about van Persie. "I took him when he was a very, very young player. We have gone together through very difficult periods and he became a world-class player and for me he is an Arsenal player."
#4 Didier Drogba and Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho embracing Didier Drogba after Real Madrid’s Champions League tie against Galatasaray last year.
Jose Mourinho is known to be a manager who maintains a close relationship with his players, and if we were to compile a list of his favourite players of all time, pretty sure Didier Drogba would be somewhere in the top three. Drogba was signed by Mourinho in 2004 for a then-club record of £24 million fee, and boy did it pay off. After leaving the club in 2012, Drogba made a comeback to the team on a free transfer. What made him come back?
"It was an easy decision. I couldn't turn down the opportunity to work with Jose again. Everyone knows the special relationship I have with this club and it has always felt like home to me," he explains.
#3 Shinji Kagawa and Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp welcomingShinji Kagawa back to Borussia Dortmund after a transfer from Manchester United.
While Shinji Kagawa was dealing with a nightmare of campaign with Manchester United, his old boss at Borussia Dortmund, Jurgen Klopp had always insisted that he would welcome him back with open arms.
Shinji was quite emotional when he left and said he didnt want to go but couldnt turn down the chance of playing for United. Now it seems to have turned sour, he would be welcomed back with open arms, he told the Daily Mail last year.
Klopps wish somewhat came true as the Japanese International ended hisdifficult 2-year spell at Manchester United by completing a move back to Borussia Dortmund this summer.
#2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho was interruptedby Zlatan Ibrahimovic during a post match interview following Chelseasvictory against PSG.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the toughest players to manage, and his hatred towards hisformer Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is a testament of that. However, Zlatans ex-boss at Inter, Jose Mourinho would disagree.
I don't understand when people say he is a difficult guy to work with or a difficult personality, he told the Press Association back in March ahead of their tie against PSG.When you have somebody that is a winner and wants to win all the time, I think he is very, very easy. I only coached him for a year but it was a good year, a good experience and I rate him as one of the best players I have ever coached."
And, the favour of sweet praises was returned by the Swedish striker who declared his admiration towards Mourinho in hisautobiography I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Jose Mourinho is a big star. Hed been my manager at Inter. Hes nice. The first time he met my partner Helena, he whispered to her: Helena, you have only one mission: feed Zlatan, let him sleep, keep him happy. That guy says whatever he wants. I like him. Hes the leader of his army. But he cares, too. He would text me all the time at Inter, wondering how I was doing. Hes the exact opposite of Pep Guardiola.
If Mourinho lights up a room, Guardiola draws the curtains. I guessed that Guardiola was trying to match up to him.Mourinho would become a guy I was basically willing to die for.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson
Cristiano Ronaldo meeting his old gaffer Alex Ferguson shortly after collecting his 2014 Super Cup winners' medal.
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably Sir Alex Fergusons best signing, and there would have perhaps never be any Ronaldo without Ferguson. Talent is always going to be there, but without a proper guide, you wont be ableto nurture that. Ferguson was that guide for the young Portuguese.
It wasnt disloyalty because I got another year out of him when he wanted to go the previous year,as Ferguson puts it when asked about Ronaldos decision to leave Manchester United. He honoured that and was fantastic for us. He went with our blessing. He always had a hankering to go to Madrid in his career and we helped him on that way.
Youve got to remember he came at 17 and really developed himself here as a great footballer. Were proud of the part we played in his career. Hes improved as a footballer and his record at Real Madrid is incredible. My way of looking at it is that we were lucky to have him for six years and the United fans would share that, he adds.
