Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has spoken about his relationship with some coaches in his professional career.
Boateng recently helped Hertha Berlin remain in the Bundesliga and he spoke about his relationship with Hertha coach Felix Magath.
He said they get along really well and Felix Magath is a special guy. Magath even allowed Boateng to organize the team for the second leg against Hamburg. But not every coach knows how to handle the outspoken, demanding, and self-confident Boateng.
"He's a special guy, I'm a special guy. It was clear: either we'll clash - or we'll get along really well. We get along really well.” Boateng said.
Boateng played 11 games under Jurgen Klopp at BVB.
"He's a great guy and also a great coach. Most of the time you only have one or the other - Klopp simply has both! He knows how to grab you. I don't know how he does it, but he gets it done. That's why every team will do everything for him."
100 games under Massimiliano Allegri at AC Milan.
"We had a good time together and he's grown so much since then. Those results prove he's a great coach.” The midfield star revealed it was at AC Milan that he really learned tactics and defending under Allegri.
42 games under Jens Keller at Schalke 04.
"His speeches were okay, but mostly consisted of the same seven or eight phrases. He wasn't a master of rhetoric and motivation, so I experienced a completely different caliber." And: "In retrospect, he claimed that he had protected me. The truth is I did my job and saved his ass several times in the important games.”
18 games under Roberto Di Matteo at Schalke 04.
"The disappointment with Di Matteo grew quickly - not just for me, but for the whole team. No tension, no aggression, no emotions – he stood on the sidelines and radiated that certain nothing.”
36 games under Niko Kovac at Eintracht Frankfurt.
"We appreciate each other very much. He knows exactly how I tick, how he has to deal with me. He also knows when to intervene and when to pet me. He does that perfectly.”
15 games under Roberto De Zerbi at Sassuolo.
"One of the best coaches I've ever had was Roberto De Zerbi. He has incredible vision and he gave me the freedom I needed. He just said: 'Please don't get a red card. When your temper comes, put it down and just play football.' Not more."