Watford midfielder Valon Behrami has labelled boss Walter Mazzarri as the “best manager” that he has had in his career so far.
The Swiss international looked set to depart the Vicarage Road outfit in the summer after falling out of favour with former boss Quique Sanchez Flores.
However, Mazzarri was swiftly brought in and the Italian managed to persuade him that he was a big part of his plans with the Hornets.
Behrami pleased to work with Mazzarri
The Swiss tough-tackler is in his second season with Watford now, but had a remarkably frustrating debut season with the Premier League outfit.
He made 21 appearances during that season, and a word with current boss Mazzarri quickly changed his mind about departing.
“This year for me it’s a bit special,” he told Club Call. “I’m working together with Mazzarri, the best manager I have had in my career so far.”
Behrami worked under the Italian at Serie A side Napoli and was a fan of his work then, and staying with the Hornets was the right decision.
Manager “loves” attention to detail
The midfielder openly said that he is a “different player now” due to a number of factors, and the reason for his bright start to the new campaign is because he is enjoying his time under his new boss.
He added: “I have more experience, maybe less energy, and I’m happy every day because I know what the manager expects from me and I know the way he works."
Mazzarri continued, “He gives us all the information that we need to know before the game, every player knows exactly what he has to do and the way he has to defend and every single detail, he loves to work on that.”
The Hornets currently sit ninth in the table ahead of their clash with Hull City at Vicarage Road at the weekend, and a win could take them into a European spot, depending on other results this weekend.