Arjen Robben on Pep Guardiola: 'If it's 3 a.m. Pep would be happy to talk to you about football'

The love between Arjen Robben and Pep Guardiola is mutual.

In an exclusive published by the Guardian on Valentine's Day, Robben spoke affectionately about his manager and the influence Guardiola holds at Bayern Munich, who sit at the top of the Bundesliga table with 52 points from 21 fixtures following their 8-0 thrashing of Hamburg on Saturday.

"We have a very good relationship," Robben said. "I like the way he thinks about football and his tactical flexibility means we've played a few systems. It's not like we are a 4-4-2 team. We use all kinds of formations with Pep and this means I can play inside or outside, just behind the strikers or even as a striker.

"That's fantastic because the way he wants to play, with a very dominant style, suits me perfectly. And you can discuss anything with him. If it's 3 a.m. Pep would be happy to talk to you about football.

"After Wolfsburg you could see on his face how much it hurt him. He hates losing. But every great manager hates losing. If Mourinho loses 4-1 ... hmmmphhh ... he doesn't sleep well. They are winners. They're so strong and that's why they are so successful."

Keep in mind that Robben, who has notched 14 goals and three assists this season, has played under a wealth of top managers, including Guus Hiddink, Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, and Jupp Heynckes. And while most players have plateaued by the age of 31, Guardiola appears to be taking Robben's game to new heights.

"I learn from him everyday and that's a special feeling," Robben said. "People always say young players can learn a lot and even at 26, 27 you can still make big steps. Then, it's expected you stay at that level or go down."