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Madrid's Diarra: Mourinho Was More Influential Than Wenger
The French international midfielder says his spell with Chelsea was much more productive than his time with Arsenal.
Apr 10, 2009 8:46:24 AM
Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra has levelled some stinging criticism at Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, stating his spell with the north London outfit was much less beneficial than his stay with Chelsea.
The French international left the Blues to join the Gunners because of a lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge, but ended up moving to Portsmouth after just half a season at the Emirates Stadium after failing to force his way into the starting eleven.
The 24-year-old has revealed that his relationship with compatriot Wenger was almost non-existent, suggesting that then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was much more influential.
"I didn’t learn anything from Wenger, all he taught me was how to doubt myself, how to doubt everything," Diarra is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
"I played only fifteen games and I did not have a good relationship with him. I respect the way he coaches but I learnt more with Mourinho.
"Mourinho showed me how to fight. He looked me in the eyes when he talked to me. If he had any problem, we discussed it.
"Wenger never said a word to me until the day I left. He spoke to the others but not with me.
"I feel like I never played at Arsenal. If people don’t remind me of that fact, I just forget it. It has been wiped from my mind."
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
The French international left the Blues to join the Gunners because of a lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge, but ended up moving to Portsmouth after just half a season at the Emirates Stadium after failing to force his way into the starting eleven.
The 24-year-old has revealed that his relationship with compatriot Wenger was almost non-existent, suggesting that then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was much more influential.
"I didn’t learn anything from Wenger, all he taught me was how to doubt myself, how to doubt everything," Diarra is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
"I played only fifteen games and I did not have a good relationship with him. I respect the way he coaches but I learnt more with Mourinho.
"Mourinho showed me how to fight. He looked me in the eyes when he talked to me. If he had any problem, we discussed it.
"Wenger never said a word to me until the day I left. He spoke to the others but not with me.
"I feel like I never played at Arsenal. If people don’t remind me of that fact, I just forget it. It has been wiped from my mind."
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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