Britney Spears - Rudolph: 'Spears Is Like Family'

BRITNEY SPEARS' manager LARRY RUDOLPH has spoken of his close relationship with the singer - insisting he loves her like a daughter.

The music mogul is widely credited with masterminding the Toxic hitmaker's career, but was reportedly dismissed as her manager after he united with her parents to force Spears into rehab at the beginning of last year (07).

But Spears is bouncing back following a tumultuous last 12 months - which has seen her lose custody of her kids to ex-husband Kevin Federline, shave off all her hair, and endure two stints in hospital.

Rudolph is now working on her current comeback campaign, and admits he will always be there for the troubled star.

He tells the Los Angeles Times, "I've known this girl for over half her life, since she was 13. We have a very close friendship, but it's sort of hard for me to explain my relationship with her. It's a friendship, it's a business relationship, there are some paternal aspects to it.

"I understand her better than everyone other than her immediate family. The bottom line is I think she's amazing. I love her. She's been a big part of my life, and I've been a big part of her life. Being a part of this new phase in her career is something I was very open to."