Juventus defender Medhi Benatia says there are a lot of similarities between his current coach Massimiliano Allegri and his former Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola, although he prefers the Italian's approach to his players.
Benatia, 29, featured just 14 times in the Bundesliga under Guardiola at Bayern last season and while he may only have taken to the field in four of Juve's opening eight games since joining in the summer, he says he has more of an understanding with Allegri.
"They are both very similar because they are in charge of two big clubs," Benatia told Gazzetta dello Sport. "They want their teams playing football, to be aggressive and to have possession. In terms of their character, though, they are different.
"Allegri is closer to his players. Guardiola never communicates with you. Once, he explained to me why -- he said that he had been disappointed with his relationship with a few players in Barcelona, so he told me he would just stick to his job, which is coaching."
It was not because of Guardiola that Benatia struggled to settle in Munich, however.
"It was due to the language and my family," he said. "It was a difficult time."
Former Udinese and Roma player Benatia is happier now he has returned to Italy, though, as he feels he is back where he belongs.
"It's everything about it," he said. "Serie A, the surroundings, the way of life, which starts first thing in the morning with a cappuccino and La Gazzetta. I'm happy here. I consider myself better now than when I was at Roma. I learnt a lot at Bayern."
Juve were not the only club offering him a return to Italy in the summer, with Benatia revealing how AC Milan and Inter Milan had also tried to sign him.
"[Milan coach Vincenzo Montella] called me a few times," Benatia said. "I had a good feeling about it and I'm sorry I couldn't give him the time he wanted. He was waiting for the Chinese [new owners to take over the club] before signing me, but then Juve arrived and I chose them also for Allegri's words. Did Inter also want me? Yes, them too."