CESC FABREGAS has named Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho as the two best managers he ever worked for – with Pep Guardiola not even getting a mention.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed a glittering career that has seen him win 12 major trophies to date.
Wenger taught Fabregas in his formative years at ArsenalCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
The Spaniard won his first Premier League title under Jose MourinhoCredit: EPA
Four of these came under Guardiola – but his Spanish compatriot was not at the forefront of Fabregas’ mind.
Quizzed about his old bosses on an Instagram Live session, he initially tried to duck the question, answering: “I had the best in the world, so I cannot complain.”
But when pushed further he relented, answering: “Wenger and Mourinho.”
As well as Guardiola, former Spain manager Vicente del Bosque was a surprise omission, having lead Fabregas to World Cup and European Championships glory following a glittering career in club management.
Fabregas started his professional career at Arsenal under the legendary Frenchman, having been prised away from Barca’s La Masia academy aged 16 by the Gunners.
He watched first hand as Wenger inspired Arsenal’s “Invincibles” side in the 2003-04 season, even making a few League Cup appearances that year as a teen.
The veteran boss later made him captain at the Emirates, before eventually losing him in a protracted move back to Barcelona.
Fabregas arrived at a Barcelona side that had just peaked under Guardiola, thrillingly beating Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League final at Wembley just a few months prior.
Fabregas’ club managers’ career win percentages
Arsene Wenger: 54%
Pep Guardiola: 72.6%
Tito Vilanova: 75.6%
Jordi Roura: 66.6%
Gerardo Martino: 55.7%
Jose Mourinho 64.2%
Guus Hiddink: 57.1%
Antonio Conte: 58.6%
Maurizio Sarri: 47.5%
Thierry Henry: 20%
Leonardo Jardim: 51%
Roberto Moreno: 54.6
Despite their strong desire to sign him, however, Fabregas only started 23 of Barca’s 38 LaLiga matches in his first season under Pep as they lost their title Real Madrid.
The enigmatic manager then departed, replaced by Tito Vilanova for a year – with Guardiola’s old No2 able to bring glory back to the Camp Nou.
As his health sadly deteriorated though, Vilanova resigned from the post and he passed away less than a year later in April 2014.
Vilanova’s successor Gerardo Martino dramatically lost out on the title to underdogs Atletico Madrid that season – with Fabregas’ time at Barcelona soon coming to an end.
To be honest, after I left the room with Mourinho I said ‘that’s it, I don’t need to talk to anyone else, I’m going to Chelsea’
Cesc Fabregas
And recently speaking to Arsecast podcast, he said: “After the week [without receiving an offer from Arsenal] I had to take my chance.
“I had Manchester City, United and then I spoke to Mourinho – which I didn’t think would ever happen.
“To be honest, after I left the room with Mourinho I said ‘that’s it, I don’t need to talk to anyone else, I’m going to Chelsea’.
“What he told me, the team he wanted to make, what he thought of me, how he wanted me to play, this is what I wanted.”
Fabregas helped inspire the Blues to the league title in his first season… before a dramatic u-turn in the team’s fortunes that saw Mourinho sacked in December 2015.
Following a brief spell under Guus Hiddink, Fabregas was then managed by another star of the profession in Antonio Conte… with a second Premier League title triumph following.
Fabregas has played with the best of the bestCredit: AP:Associated Press
Opportunities to play then became limited under Maurizio Sarri, and Fabregas was allowed to leave Stamford Bridge for Monaco in January 2019.
Things haven’t gone so well since, with former team-mate Thierry Henry and his replacement Leonardo Jardim both getting sacked.
Fabregas now plays under former Spain coach Roberto Moreno, with Monaco sitting ninth before coronavirus halted the Ligue One season.
Fabregas has had a glittering careerCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times
Cesc Fabregas claims only two players were on his level at end of Arsenal career and reveals he cried after losses
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
