Brewers manager Pat Murphy has seen a sentimental side of Cubs manager Craig Counsell that many don’t get to see, having been Counsell’s bench coach for eight seasons in Milwaukee and, long before that, his manager as a player at Notre Dame.

“I think he just doesn’t let you see that part,” Murphy said. “He’s not going to let anybody see that. I’ve seen a very different side of Craig, so I think you have to keep it business because this is important to a lot of guys in there. We owe it to the players in there to be on track.”

Counsell’s return to American Family Field on Monday — a 5-1 Cubs loss — was his first time back since taking the Cubs job last November. It’s undeniable that Counsell, who grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, had an impact on the Brewers. He not only left the Brewers as the all-time winningest manager in franchise history with 707 wins but also established the culture that’s still in place.

And that sentimental side? Murphy, now in his first season succeeding Counsell, said Counsell would look into the stands at Brewers games and point out the various Wisconsin high school sports connections.

“[He] loves everybody from Wis-consin,” Murphy said. “Growing up here, he would do anything for this community.”

That loyalty carries over to his managerial style. Counsell can be dispassionate but also knows how to connect with players, with a knack for bringing out the best in them and putting them in the best position to succeed — particularly pitchers.

“Since the first day [of my major-league career], he gave me a lot of confidence,” Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta told the Sun-Times. “I remember in my first year, when they sent me down because I was young, he told me, ‘I know at some point you’re gonna be with us this year, so keep it going.’ That meant a lot because I saw a big-league manager trusting me.”

Brewers infielder Owen Miller can relate to Counsell perhaps more than most. He grew up in Wisconsin as a Brewers fan and knows the joy that comes with putting on the jersey of a team you grew up watching.

Speaking about the boos that fans heaped on Counsell, Miller noted: “People are fans of their home team. The fans probably aren’t going to understand as much about the business side of things. . . . You see it a lot, but probably going to be some boos out there.”

Counsell’s success makes it easy for fans to jeer. And he didn’t just leave — he left for the big-market rival. The wound is still fresh.

But down the line, Murphy expects Counsell’s impact to be celebrated.

“I know that at the end of the day, 20 years from now, we’ll all look back on this and Craig will be recognized as a big part of the Brewers,” Murphy said.