Mancini can’t take it anymore. Carlos Tevez’s attitude in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich was simply too disrespectful for the City manager to accept.
The Sky Blues’ European campaign suffered a blow as group favorites Bayern Munich triumphed 2-0 at the Allianz Arena. For a big portion of football fans and pundits, a defeat for Man City was predictable considering Bayern Munich’s current hot form besides the Germans’ experience in the Champions League.
Eventually, what grabbed the headline was Carlos Tevez’s refusal to come off the bench as a substitute. In an upset mood, Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini spoke to reporters after the game and revealed his decision to boot out the Argentine striker. Mancini was quoted as saying:
“He is finished. He refused to go on. I can't accept this. He won't play with me again. I don't want another situation like tonight, never. With me he is finished.
“In the next few days, I will speak with the chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak. Do you think a player can do this at Bayern Munich, Milan or Manchester United? Never.
“This can't happen in a top club when a player refuses to help his team-mates in an important match like tonight.”
Manchester City were losing 2-0 at the Allianz Arena when Roberto Mancini decided to take off striker Edin Dzeko for Nigel de Jong. Carlos Tevez was reportedly angry by the manager’s action to replace the Bosnian by a midfielder but Roberto Mancini explained that his intention was to ensure damage limitation. Pursuing his version of the story, the Manchester City boss narrated:
“Then Carlos refused to warm up and go on the pitch. He was going to be the second substitution. I decide this, not Carlos.
“If a player earns a lot of money to play for Manchester City in this competition and refuses to play, then he can never play for us again.”
But Carlos Tevez has been quick to clear his image. In a post-match statement, the Argentine striker stated:
“I would like to apologize to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich.
“They understand that when I am on the pitch I have always given my best for the club. In Munich on Tuesday I had warmed up and was ready to play.
“This is not the right time to get into specific details as to why this did not happen. But I wish to state that I never refused to play.
“There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood. Going forward I am ready to play when required and to fulfill my obligations.”
Either way, Roberto Mancini has received the backing of Bayern Munich legend Stefan Effenberg. Speaking to the press in the aftermath of the bizarre incident, the German declared:
“That player would never play in the same club as me again — that goes without saying. There is a clear order from the coach and he disregards it.
“That is poor behavior and the club has got to come down hard on it.”
Overlooking Carlos Tevez’s claim that he was misunderstood last night, Stefan Effenberg analyzed the chances of the Argentine outside Manchester City’s squad. He continued:
“Other clubs are going to have to consider whether they want to sign a player with such a character. You just don't do something like that.
“It is disrespectful to your team-mates and is not just in spite of the coach but in spite of the whole team. I hope that they actually go through with what Mancini says and that he never plays for the club again.”
There is now room for new debates and among the many questions is the following one: has Roberto Mancini spoken too fast over Carlos Tevez’s career at Eastlands?
In the meantime, the season continues for the Sky Blues...
Eventually, what grabbed the headline was Carlos Tevez’s refusal to come off the bench as a substitute. In an upset mood, Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini spoke to reporters after the game and revealed his decision to boot out the Argentine striker. Mancini was quoted as saying:
“He is finished. He refused to go on. I can't accept this. He won't play with me again. I don't want another situation like tonight, never. With me he is finished.
“In the next few days, I will speak with the chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak. Do you think a player can do this at Bayern Munich, Milan or Manchester United? Never.
“This can't happen in a top club when a player refuses to help his team-mates in an important match like tonight.”
Manchester City were losing 2-0 at the Allianz Arena when Roberto Mancini decided to take off striker Edin Dzeko for Nigel de Jong. Carlos Tevez was reportedly angry by the manager’s action to replace the Bosnian by a midfielder but Roberto Mancini explained that his intention was to ensure damage limitation. Pursuing his version of the story, the Manchester City boss narrated:
“Then Carlos refused to warm up and go on the pitch. He was going to be the second substitution. I decide this, not Carlos.
“If a player earns a lot of money to play for Manchester City in this competition and refuses to play, then he can never play for us again.”
But Carlos Tevez has been quick to clear his image. In a post-match statement, the Argentine striker stated:
“I would like to apologize to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich.
“They understand that when I am on the pitch I have always given my best for the club. In Munich on Tuesday I had warmed up and was ready to play.
“This is not the right time to get into specific details as to why this did not happen. But I wish to state that I never refused to play.
“There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood. Going forward I am ready to play when required and to fulfill my obligations.”
Either way, Roberto Mancini has received the backing of Bayern Munich legend Stefan Effenberg. Speaking to the press in the aftermath of the bizarre incident, the German declared:
“That player would never play in the same club as me again — that goes without saying. There is a clear order from the coach and he disregards it.
“That is poor behavior and the club has got to come down hard on it.”
Overlooking Carlos Tevez’s claim that he was misunderstood last night, Stefan Effenberg analyzed the chances of the Argentine outside Manchester City’s squad. He continued:
“Other clubs are going to have to consider whether they want to sign a player with such a character. You just don't do something like that.
“It is disrespectful to your team-mates and is not just in spite of the coach but in spite of the whole team. I hope that they actually go through with what Mancini says and that he never plays for the club again.”
There is now room for new debates and among the many questions is the following one: has Roberto Mancini spoken too fast over Carlos Tevez’s career at Eastlands?
In the meantime, the season continues for the Sky Blues...
