Gossip: Manchester City line up Robin van Persie to replace Carlos Tevez

 

Robin van Persie

 

Manchester City have been linked with a move for Arsenal forward Robin van Persie as a possible replacement to Carlos Tevez.

Tevez's apparent refusal to play against Bayern Munich on Tuesay has put his Blues future in serious doubt. The Argentian is currently suspended pending an investigation into the incident at the Allianz Arena.

City might have to take a large financial hit on Tevez if he is sold in the January transfer window, with the Guardian reporting that boss Roberto Mancini believes the Blues will be lucky to get £20m for him.

Van Persie could then be the latest in a string of Arsenal players to join the City revolution, potentially following in the footsteps of Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri.

The 28-year-old Dutchman is seemingly reluctant to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium and is in the last two years of his deal.

Edin Dzeko says sorry for his Munich madness

 

Edin Dzeko

 

Edin Dzeko has apologised to manager Roberto Mancini and his teammates for his show of displeasure at being substituted in Munich on Tuesday night.

The Bosnian striker was shaking his head and exchanged words with Mancini after being taken off 35 minutes from the end to be replaced by Nigel de Jong – moments before the Carlos Tevez furore erupted.

Mancini vowed afterwards to clamp down on such shows of dissent in future.

But Dzeko says he knows he did wrong, saying: “I know my reaction was bad and I have spoken to the guys and to the coach as well. I have apologised for the reaction and Roberto has accepted it, said that everything is OK and that we have to be positive for the next game.

“I was unhappy because we were 2-0 down and I wanted to win the game. It was something special for me to go back to Germany where I played for a long time and I wanted to do well and wanted the team to do well. Things didn’t go well for us. That is why I was extra frustrated.”

Mancini vowed that Dzeko would be “next to me on the bench” for the next game, but the apology means he is back in the running for a place in the starting line-up at Blackburn tomorrow.

Dzeko scored his first City league goal at Ewood Park as the Blues won 1-0 last season and he said:  “I remember last year when I scored there and we won. We had great support from thousands of City fans and we hope to make them cheer again on Saturday.”

Dzeko’s move leaves Tevez isolated after his failure to apologise to Mancini or his teammates following his bust-up in Munich.

The Blues striker has denied he disobeyed his manager's orders to go on as a substitute during the Champions League clash.

He said sorry to City’s fans but has not followed Dzeko’s lead in addressing his boss or fellow players.

Tevez has been suspended for two weeks by the Blues while a club inquiry into the episode takes place.

Carlos Tevez reaction: Fans and managers have their say on rebel Manchester City forward

 

Patrick Vieira, Carlos Tevez and Joleon Lescott after the game

 

Manchester City fans who endured a gruelling 40-hour round trip to see the Blues go down 2-0 in Munich have branded Carlos Tevez a 'disgrace' and called for him to be sacked.

The wantaway £250,000-a-week Argentinian's apparent refusal to come on as a substitue has angered fans.

And a hardy band of  Blues from the Bredbury branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club, who travelled more than 1,500 miles by road and sea to Bavaria and back again, have hit out at Tevez's behaviour.

They left the Crown Inn at 3pm on Monday, arriving in Munich at 4pm the following day and were due to arrive back in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Each shelled out more than £200 for the trip and many took three days off work.

Diehard Steve Livingstone, 52, is a highway worker for Stockport council.

He said: "In my job if you refuse to do something you get sacked. Why should he be any different? The same rules should aaplly. It was absolutely disgraceful. You'd like to think there were mitigating circumstances but to be honest we have all learned a lot about Carlos Tevez in the last six months."

Steve added that the long trip to Germany made Tevez's actions even harder to take.

He explained: "After coming all that way on a coach to see he couldn't be bothered was very disappointing."

Marple landscape gardener John Burgess, 55, agreed - and rejected Tevez's claims there had been a misunderstanding.

He said: "I don't believe him for a second. He should be sacked. It's surely a breach of contract.

"He doesn't care. We're all really disappointed. We put up with losing - but you expect a lot more back from a long away trip than that. "

Meanwhile Dave Wallace, editor of the King of the Kippax fanzine, said: "We were in the ground and wondering why (Mancini) wasn't bringing Tevez on. Then the word went round that he's refused to come on and everyone was pretty shocked and surprised, pretty disgusted really.

"At 2-0, we could have still saved the game, and most fans who I spoke to the reaction was 'it's a disgrace and he should never play for the club again'.

"City fans had paid a lot to go over there and got up at 3am, and it's just not on. There's not a lot of sympathy among City fans for him."

Tevez issued a statement on Wednesday morning blaming a "misunderstanding" and denying that he refused to play.

But Wallace continued: "If he didn't refuse to play then why didn't he strip off and get on the field? I don't understand that. He's obviously just having a few second thoughts now.

Players' chief Gordon Taylor fears there will be more problems for managers like the one Mancini found himself dealing with.

"I think a lot more players are going to get upset," he said.

"There will be top players not happy at being substituted, others who are not too pleased at being asked to retrieve a situation.

"But it is part and parcel of the game now.

"Players have to be professional, although sometimes managers have to be aware of the sensitivities involved too."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has launched a stinging attack on Tevez.



Redknapp, speaking ahead of Spurs' Europa League meeting with Shamrock Rovers on Thursday night, said: "It was unbelievable. I felt sorry for Roberto Mancini to be put in that situation.

"It's not fair. It wasn't right for Man City, wasn't right for football. I can't believe it. It shouldn't happen. It can't happen.

"I just wonder what City legends like Malcom Allison and Mike Summerbee would have thought of seeing a player refuse to play in a Champions League game. It is beyond belief."

Bayern Munich 2 Manchester City 0

 

TOUGH NIGHT: Vincent Kompany challenges Mario Gomez

 

Manchester City may have lost the biggest match of Roberto Mancini’s tenure... but the Blues’ disastrous performance here in the heart of Bavaria was totally overshadowed by an act of incredible petulance by Carlos Tevez.

He effectively went on strike after being asked to come on early in the second-half in what was an unprecedented act of defiance by the £40m striker.

The flashpoint incident led manager Mancini to later declare that Tevez would never play for the club again if he had his way.

It was an devastating way to round off a night that had begun with such high hopes for City and their 3,000 travelling army of fans.

The Blues had lapped up the legendary Oktoberfest, but it was Mancini and his team who ended up with a monster-sized Champions League hangover.

The Blues were left punch-drunk by some sloppy first-half defending – and some even sloppier refereeing - as Bayern kept their red-hot streak going.

It was a harsh lesson for the Blues, and one they will have to learn quickly if their dreams of a good run in the competition are not to disperse like Autumn mists.

UEFA also need to take a look at last night’s game, because their new-fangled idea of having extra officials behind the goals appears to have hit a snag, not least because all six officials showed an inability to see what was in front of their eyes.

Yet the evening had started so brightly for Mancini’s men.

Faced with a noisy capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena, City made a strong and confident opening, passing the ball and keeping Bayern penned in.

But the good work was undone when David Silva burst into the box and pulled the ball back from the by-line only to have his feet taken away by former team-mate Jerome Boateng.

Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai allowed play to go on as Silva leapt to his feet, but he should have awarded a spot-kick.

City were undaunted and continued to stretch Bayern left and right. Another swift passing move ended with Edin Dzeko playing a one-two with Micah Richards but firing the shot tamely at Manuel Neuer.

Samir Nasri was also causing problems, drifting past defenders with ease, but unable to find a final product.

The Blues deserved something for their enterprising start but were again denied as Micah Richards tested Boateng’s pace and was clipped as he shot past him in the area. Again Mr Kassai bottled the decision.

Decisions

The decisions, or lack of them, took some of the steam out of City’s bold opening, and Bayern gradually exerted control and had them back on their heels, showing the kind of ability which has seen them now win their last ten games without conceding.

City’s defence, so good in the run-in to the end of last season, was found wanting at this level, not least in the basic art of following in opposition shots from distance. At times it looked like they had been out sampling the hospitality at Europe’s biggest drinking festival.

Bayern were beginning to pepper Joe Hart’s goal, and the danger signs were there when the keeper had to beat away shots by Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

There was another strong warning when Bayern – who boasted six of the Germany team which blew away England in the 2010 World Cup finals – almost staged an embarrassing re-enactment.

Kolo Toure’s ill-advised gallop upfield, followed by him coughing up possession, left Ribery one-on-one against Gareth Barry. The Frenchman skinned his opponent did the same, but this time Muller’s shot deflected over.

City were exposed again as Yaya Toure and Barry fluffed an interchange of passes and in a four-on-three attack Muller crossed for Schweinsteiger, totally unmarked, only for him to sky his shot well over  the bar. City were close to breaking point, and the inevitable goal came in the 38th minute.

Ribery darted inside from the left flank and took a pot-shot which Hart parried. First man to react was Muller, whose follow-up shot was brilliantly kept out by the keeper.

Unfortunately for City, second man to react was Mario Gomez, who defied another brave Hart attempt to save to score.

In added time, the Blues were stung again. This time it was a Toni Kroos free-kick which was glanced goalwards by ex-Blue Daniel van Buyten.Hart’s reaction was exemplary, that of his defence non-existent as Gomez darted in to convert the rebound.

Boateng had said in the build-up that City were a squad in disharmony, something which their performances so far this season might disprove.

But the scenes when Mancini removed striker Edin Dzeko added fuel to Boateng’s fire.

While Dzeko reacted with visible disgust, arguing with Mancini and subs Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta, Tevez himself refused to take to the field.

While City digested the ramifications of that bombshell, Hart first kept out Schweinsteiger  before another great save denied Gomez his hat-trick.

But by then all the attention was focused elsewhere... typical City some might say.

Tonight is just the beginning for Manchester City

 

Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure in training ahead of City’s clash with Bayern Munich

 

City face a stern test of their Champions League credentials as they face mighty Bayern Munich in their stunning stadium tonight.

But have the Blues closed the gap on the European elite? Yaya says: “Ja, ja!”

The big Ivorian midfielder points to the 5-1 romp at White Hart Lane in August as proof that City are close to matching giants of the Continental game like Bayern, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Last season Spurs, themselves Champions League virgins – having edged out City in a painful Eastlands night – topped a group which included then holders Inter Milan and Bayern’s Bundesliga colleagues Werder Bremen, before KO’ing AC Milan in the later stages. City not only snatched the Champions league spot away from Spurs for this season, they made it plain how fast they are evolving as a club by demolishing them in the league meeting.

The quality of the football City played that day has convinced Yaya that the Blues are the real deal.

“I don’t think there is a big space between us and the top teams in this competition,” he said.” You look at the game at Tottenham, we played fantastically.

“They’re a big team and did well in the Champions League last year – they got to the quarter-finals.

“So that shows we have a fantastic squad and for me this year we can do well. I’m just pleased we are in it. We can do fantastically well this year.”

Yaya is one of three current City stars to have won the trophy, back in his Barcelona days. The others are out-of-favour Carlos Tevez, who lifted the trophy with United, and Owen Hargreaves – not included in City’s 25-man squad – who did it with both Bayern and United.

But Yaya stopped short of suggesting City could win the famous old jug-eared trophy at the first time of asking.

“It’s very hard work to win this competition,” he said. “It’s one of the best competitions in the world and it’s only the top teams that you play.

“I don’t think we should say we can win it with teams like Barcelona around. The most important thing is to get to the second stage and then see.”

But he does feel City are getting the blend right, with plenty of players experienced at winning big European encounters, plus a few feisty young stars desperate to make their mark on the competition.

“You need players with Champions League experience, and we have quality, like Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero,  as well.

“The team is improving every week, and on the training ground you should see how hard we work.

“All the top players want to be part of this – it’s an amazing competition.”

The Blues face a huge task if, as Roberto Mancini said with uncharacteristic boldness a fortnight ago, they are to win at the Allianz Arena.

But Mancini re-asserted his claim, and said that, despite the razzle-dazzle of playing a club with such a huge history, this is just the start for City.

“We have a great respect for Bayern, because they are a big part of the history of football, and it is fantastic to play against them,” he said.

“But we are here to play and to win. I came here with Inter Milan so I know what it is to play here – it is fantastic.

“It is always good to play a big team in a great stadium but what is important to us is to win.

“We have not come here to lose this game. We aim to win, but know it will be difficult.”

Mancini also handed himself some insurance by saying City could still qualify even if they do lose against a Bayern side in red-hot form – they have conceded one goal in their ten games this season, and scored 26.

“When I was at Inter we lost the first two games and still qualified, so losing or winning won’t change anything – we will still need ten points to go through.

“The problem is that if we lose, anything can happen.”

Mancini may be tempted to set up more conservatively against Bayern than he did against Napoli, when his side was caught by swift counter-attacks.

Nigel de Jong made the flight from Manchester yesterday, although the manager has insisted he is only fit for the bench.

But Mancini did hint that he may sacrifice Samir Nasri, which could mean a start for James Milner.

Roberto Mancini hopes Mario Balotelli plays a big part for Manchester City this season

EMBRACE: Balotelli celebrates his goal with Mancini and coach David Platt 

ROBERTO Mancini is expecting a major contribution from Mario Balotelli this season after setting Manchester City on course for a hard-fought win over Everton.

The controversial striker came off the bench to inspire the Blues to a 2-0 triumph at the Etihad Stadium, which saw City leapfrog United at the top of the Premier League table before the Reds play in Saturday’s evening kick-off at Stoke.

Until the Italian’s arrival on the hour mark, City had been struggling to break down the Toffees’ typically obdurate defence.

But Balotelli brought renewed focus to City's attack, breaking the deadlock within eight minutes of coming on before fellow substitute James Milner sealed victory late on.

Far too often in his short City career, Balotelli has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. His most recent escapade came on the pre-season tour of the United States when Mancini hauled him off during a match against LA Galaxy for showboating.

However, Balotelli proved there was no bad blood remaining between him and the Blues boss by racing over to his compatriot for a hug having netted his first league goal since February. And now his boss is expecting big things.

"Mario can make a big contribution this season. I am sure of this," said Mancini.

"His behaviour has been so-so. But he is a good guy. He likes Manchester City. He likes English football.

"Sometimes when he scores, he is unhappy. Today he was really happy. Today he knew he scored an important goal."

It also proved Mancini correct to introduce Balotelli ahead of deposed skipper Carlos Tevez, who remained on the bench throughout.

However, the City chief admitted a four-match European suspension that rules the striker out of Tuesday's Champions League trip to Bayern Munich played a part.

"I needed a player who could also play on the right side," said Mancini.

"We needed to open up the defence, plus Mario can't play against Munich on Tuesday."

Balotelli has now scored in successive games, having opened his account for the season in Wednesday's Carling Cup win over Birmingham.

More importantly, Mancini's multi-talented squad proved themselves adept at overcoming difficult opponents, who had won the last four meetings between the sides and deployed Jack Rodwell to man-mark David Silva.

"Today was difficult," said Mancini. "Everton defended behind the ball for all the game. It was not easy for us to find space.

"We had to push them for 90 minutes. In the end, we deserved to win the game. I am delighted with the players."

Everton manager David Moyes made no apology for the limited tactics, believing his team were badly done to when a throw-in he felt should have been in favour of his side went against them in the build-up to Balotelli's opener.

"I wasn't going to come here for the enjoyment of Manchester City," he said. "I was going to come here and do what was right for Everton.

"I have to praise the players for how they went about their task.

"They have done a lot of really good things. For long periods we kept them at bay."

And Moyes felt City skipper Vincent Kompany caught Tim Cahill as the Everton danger-man slid in on Kompany midway through the second half.

City were awarded a free-kick and Cahill was booked for the challenge but immediately had to hobble off injured as a result of Kompany’s contact with his shin.

"It is a terrible tackle," said Moyes.

"I have seen it again. His foot goes right on his shin. I am disappointed it wasn't spotted."

Premier League - Balotelli strikes as City beat Everton

Mario Balotelli and James Milner came off the bench to ensure Manchester City completed a 2-0 Premier League win over a spirited Everton side at Etihad Stadium. 

Having toiled for much of the first period, City finally made the breakthrough when Balotelli - thrown on for Edin Dzeko around the hour mark - saw a shot from distance deflect off Phil Jagielka on 68 minutes before nestling in the net with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard given no chance.
They finished off a resolute Everton defence when James Milner - on for Sergio Aguero - raced onto a pass from David Silva to sllp the ball over the exposed Howard for his first Premier League goal for the club after visiting substitute Royston Drenthe had given the ball away.
Roberto Mancini's side briefly went top of the table with the win, but they fell back to second on goal difference when Manchester United drew 1-1 at Stoke City in the late kick-off match.
They will be grateful to get over the winning line against a side they lost twice to in the Premier League last term. It was only Everton's second defeat in nine matches against the home side, but these are changed days with Carlos Tevez left on the City bench.
For the majority of this match, it looked likely that David Moyes's side would leave with the point they came for after frustrating City with Jack Rodwell handed a man-marking remit to close down the dangerous Silva.
Aguero had scored eight goals in his first five Premier League appearances - matching the record of Mick Quinn for Coventry - but endured a tough time against an Everton defence superbly organised by the outstanding Jagielka and Sylvain Distin.
The best move of the first half saw Aguero rattle a shot at goal that was clawed behind by Howard on 35 minutes. Everton had few real attempts at the home goal despite an energised performance by the visitors.
Tim Cahill - who was forced off injured with an ankle problem - nodded over the bar on 55 minutes from Seamus Coleman's cross while Marouane Fellaini's shot was cleared off the line by City substitute Stefan Savic in injury time, but the game was done and dusted by that stage.
Samir Nasri forced Howard to swat a piledriver wide before Balotelli benefited from some luck to give City the lead with his deflected shot. It was tough on Everton, but the relief was palpable among the home support.
Silva then hit a post from 12 yards after more eager play by Balotelli in playing provider for his team-mate. City were looking comfortable, but Milner's late effort gave the scoreline a gloss that suggested a far more comfortable afternoon for the home side than this actually was.

I so nearly quit game, says Manchester City's Kolo Toure

 

Kolo Toure, wearing the captain’s armband, smiles during the Carling Cup clash at the Etihad Stadium

 

Kolo Toure has admitted he could have quit football for good had he been hit with a two-year drugs ban.

The 30-year-old City defender came back after a seven-month absence on Wednesday, looking fit and eager as he captained the side to a Carling Cup third round win over Birmingham.

He was banned after testing positive for a specified substance following the Manchester derby in February.

City, and Toure himself,  initially feared he could face the maximum two-year suspension, but Toure and the club’s  legal team convinced an FA hearing that he was not seeking to gain an advantage by taking one of his wife’s diet pills.

Toure submitted medical evidence that he suffered from a psychological obsession with his weight, especially the size of his stomach.

The FA accepted that explanation and Toure was relieved to only get a six-month ban.

But the days leading up to that hearing, in May, were the darkest days of the whole affair, Toure told M.E.N. Sport.

“The lowest point was the wait before the hearing, because I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “Once I knew what was happening, I could begin preparing myself to come back. That time, just before the hearing, was really difficult.”

Toure knew that if the FA took a hard line and refused to accept his explanation, he could have been out for much longer.

“I thank God that it was six months because it could have been worse. For me now, it is finished and the future is bright,” he said.

Asked if he would have thought about quitting the game entirely had he got a two-year ban, he replied: “I think so, definitely.

“Being out for two years, I could have started preparing myself to be a trainer! But you never know – I can’t say I was going to retire, because until you meet that situation you don’t know what you would do.

“But now I am back playing, and that is what I love.”

City’s success in his absence brought mixed emotions for Kolo. He remained involved with the squad and was still an influential figure around the other players, particularly his younger brother Yaya.

And Yaya eased the family pain by scoring the winner in the FA Cup semi-final against United, and in the final against Stoke.

Kolo was among the first to congratulate Yaya after the game, but he had said that one reason Yaya came to City was so the brothers could win something together.

“It was bitter and sweet,” said Kolo. “To see my brother scoring the winning goal made me really happy.

“But it was also really hard because I started this project with this football club, and to be there at the point of winning the first trophy would have been really special.

“There are a lot more trophies coming, and I hope to be available when those trophies come.”

Kolo says the problems which led to his positive test have also been sorted out, and that he no longer has a weight obsession.

He revealed that swapping the strict diet and fitness regimen he was on at Arsenal for a more relaxed programme at City was behind his problems.

“When I went to Arsenal I was working really hard on the weights, as Arsene Wenger is very keen on that,” he said. “Ask any Arsenal player, they get weighed every week, and I was just used to that.

“Now I just work more and more on the food I eat. That is more the fact – I learn about the food I eat, and just focus on my game and my fitness. As long as I am fit, the weight is not a problem. That is it.”

But Toure was keen to thank Wenger, and former Arsenal chairman David Dein, who had both offered their support during his initial suspension and subsequent ban.

“They have been supporting me and never let me down, and I want to thank them very, very much,” said Toure, who also dismissed the critics who have been getting on Wenger’s back for the Gunners’ poor start to the season.

“I would never say a bad word about Mr Wenger, because he is somebody that makes players better players,” he said. “I came from nowhere. I was in Africa and nobody was believing in me. I had been at a lot of clubs that didn’t take me, and this guy just took me and made me what I am now.

“You see other players the same at Arsenal. Patrick Vieira came from Milan, where he never played, and went to Arsenal and became a fantastic player.

“This time is really hard for Mr Wenger, but he is really strong and a very, very intelligent manager.

“It makes me feel a little sad because at the moment Arsenal are really, really unlucky, and still play really good football.

“But I wish him all the best and know he will come out of this strong because he is definitely a top manager.”

 Toure faces a stern challenge of his own, dislodging Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott from Roberto Mancini’s team, but he is philosophical about that.

 “We work as a team, and there are a lot of games,” he said. “The manager has to make rotations, otherwise the players will get tired.

“For me I just want to be 100 per cent every time he gives me his confidence, as I was on Wednesday.”

Toure is likely to return to the bench for tomorrow’s home game with Everton, when the Blues are seeking to end a dismal run of four straight defeats by their bogey team.

 Nigel de Jong is not expected to take part – he is still not back in full training. But Mancini is ready to change all 11 players who beat Birmingham 2-0 in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

Owen Hargreaves: I felt like a gunea pig at Manchester United

Owen Hargreaves has revealed he was left feeling like a guinea pig during three injury-plagued years at Manchester United.

The former England international has opened his heart over the hell he suffered trying to overcome career-threatening tendonitis problems in his knees.

He put a lot of that pain behind him on Wednesday night when scoring a stunning goal on his City debut.

But the 30-year-old has shed some light on his agonising battle to play for United again.

“I received some injections but my tendon was never the same,” said Hargreaves. “After the injections, I tried to get back on my feet and they said my tendon was good, but it felt like I was made out of glass. That obviously had a huge impact.

“With my tendon injury, I've had to be a guinea pig for a lot of these treatments. It's difficult. All the people there are lovely and everybody tries their best, but at times you come to a certain point where you need to make a decision.

“They said it would help. Basically, I was left to pick up the pieces, which was incredibly frustrating.

Wish

“I wanted to play. Everyone wanted me to play, so it's not really an option to say, 'sit it out and rest for six months'. With hindsight it's a lot easier, but I wish I had not had the injections.”

Hargreaves joined United from Bayern Munich in a £17m deal in 2007.

He won the Premier League and Champions League in his first season at Old Trafford – but then saw his career wrecked by injury.

He underwent double knee surgery in 2008 and played just six minutes of first-team football before being released at the end of last season.

City made a shock deadline day swoop for him as a free agent – and have already been rewarded with his debut strike against Birmingham.

He is now hoping his injury nightmare is behind him.

“I had big surgery, so we're just going to have to be smart,” he said. “My physical function is very good, it's tip-top, but sadly, I'm not 18 any more, so I need more recovery and more time in the gym to prepare for each training session.

“It's just about getting some repetition in my training and trying to find some balance, staying sharp and fit and looking after some of the issues I've had.

Progress

“United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, with Barcelona and Real Madrid. They have a lot of wonderful people there.

“I'm sad for myself that I wasn't able to play a bigger part at Old Trafford - I really envisaged it going differently. It didn't really materialise the way I anticipated, but this is a new chapter in my life.”

City boss Roberto Mancini believes Hargreaves could be a regular member of his squad within a month if his present progress continues.

“I am happy for Owen,” said Mancini. “He did very well. He played without a problem. As a first game, it was good. I hope he can continue to play without a problem. This is the most important thing.

“The crowd gave him a great reception. This guy deserves everything. After two years with so many injuries, for an important player like him to come back is really difficult.

“He could be an important player. If he doesn't have a problem in the next weeks, he could be part of my first team in a month or two. It depends.”

Roberto Mancini reckons Owen Hargreaves is ready to return to England squad

 

DREAM DEBUT: Hargreaves savours the moment after putting City in front with a fine strike

 

AFTER marking his City debut with a goal, Roberto Mancini believes Owen Hargreaves is ready to win back his place in Fabio Capello’s England squad.

Hargreaves needed just 17 minutes of his first City start to open his account with a wonderful 25-yard drive. It set the Blues on course for a 2-0 win over Birmingham to book a place in the Carling Cup fourth round.

The 30-year-old, who was snapped up on a free transfer following his release from neighbours United in the summer, was given 57 minutes by Mancini before being replaced by James Milner.

The Italian said he would carefully manage Hargreaves’ recovery in the wake of his first taste of first-team action for nearly a year, but insisted it wasn’t just for his benefit.

Mancini said: “I enjoyed it for him. I enjoyed it for the team. I enjoyed it for him because he is a fantastic player. He’s an important player for us and I hope he can play often.

“The last three weeks he hasn’t had a problem and tonight there was nothing. We decided before the game to give him between 45 and 60 minutes. He played 60 and I’m happy.”

He added: “Now he’s played 60 minutes, he needs to recover very well. It’s important we don’t rush a lot with him. It’s important we recover him very well because I think he can become a fantastic player like he was. I think it will also be important for the England team.”

Mancini implied that Hargreaves had overcome a psychological barrier after three years at United where he spent just seven minutes on the pitch.

Mancini omitted Hargreaves from his initial 25-man Champions League squad but admitted he would change that in January should Hargreaves continue to prove his fitness.

“It was not easy for him before the game after two years of not playing,” said Mancini.

“Before the game I hoped he could play 45 minutes without injury. He worked well for the last two weeks and in the game he moved very well.

“He played well and he scored a fantastic goal but now he needs time. At the moment he’s not on the Champions League list, but in January, maybe it’s possible. We didn’t know four weeks ago what his condition was. It was difficult.”

As well as Hargreaves, the game also marked the return of Kolo Toure from a six-month ban for taking his wife’s diet pills.

There were also places for forgotten men Wayne Bridge and Nedum Onouha. And although Mancini said he was pleased with how his fringe players had performed against Birmingham, he said little to give the pair any hope they could force their way back into his first team plans.

He said: “I said always that all these players are good players and good guys but it is difficult for them to play often. But tonight, him and Nedum played very well.

“We changed the players. We played Wayne and Zabaleta on the wings and they had a good match,” added Mancini.

Mancini to give kids a chance but insists he’s taking Carling Cup seriously

 

Roberto Mancini has drafted several youngsters into his squad

 

City are set to draft in some of their promising youngsters for tonight’s Carling Cup clash with Birmingham.

Roberto Mancini is expected to hand Owen Hargreaves his Blues debut and give Kolo Toure his first game for seven months following a drugs ban.

But the City boss hinted that he will include several members of the Elite Development Squad.

Spanish striker Denis Suarez, Israeli midfielder Gai Assulin, Ivorian midfielder Abdul Razak, Dutch defender Karim Rekik and  Italian striker Luca Scapuzzi, who has just signed a three-year deal, are all in the shake-up.

But young midfielder Joan Angel Roman, who tweeted about his involvement in the squad, was later dropped.

Mancini is also expected to give valuable playing time to several of his first team, including Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson.

Hargreaves is likely to be on the bench, while Toure should start alongside Stefan Savic.

“I think I will change many players because I think we need to recover and rest some players,” said Mancini.

“I will change seven or eight players. But we need to think about the Carling Cup because we want to win the next game.”

Mancini was criticised last year for playing a youthful back four in the third round defeat at West Brom, annoying many fans who felt it was a good chance to win a trophy thrown away.

“Last year against West Bromwich, we had a chance, but we lost so it’s important that we play well. Maybe some young players could be on the bench if the others don’t play,” added Mancini, who was at Hyde last week to see the Under-19s lose to Barcelona and was impressed by Suarez, Roman, Rekik and 17-year-old winger Alex Henshall.

Delighted

Toure is understandably delighted but warned that he, and several other players, will be pressing their case for more first team action. “It’s been a long wait and a hard one, too, but it’s finally over and I can’t wait to play Birmingham,” he said.

“Success breeds success and we will treat Birmingham as if it were a Premier League game.

“We are a club who want and believe we can win everything, so make no mistake, we will be giving it everything when we go out on that pitch. There are a number of us who haven’t played much or at all this season, so Mario, Owen Hargreaves and Stefan Savic – we are all hoping to play and show what we are capable of. There will be a real hunger and desire to win.”

Micah Richards could also be rested but insists the club will be taking the competition seriously, “Last year we took it a bit lightly. I think this year we want to do something and there are a lot of quality players who weren't involved at the weekend who will be looking to get a start,” he said.

Patrick Vieira: City’s cutting-edge academy can provide the next generation of home-grown stars

 

Patrick Vieira

 

City will be at the forefront of a plan to revive the fortunes of England.

World Cup winner Patrick Vieira believes that the Blues’ new cutting-edge academy will play a leading role in putting the national team on a par with leading sides like Spain, Holland and Germany.

Vieira, speaking at the unveiling of plans for the new academy, alongside a new first-team training ground – just across the road from the Etihad Stadium – says he is mystified by England’s poor recent record in producing top players.

“As a foreigner who has been in this country quite a long time, I don't think England produces enough talent, when you consider the love for the game in this country, and the number of kids who play football,” said the ex-City star, who won World Cup and European Championships winner’s medals with France.

“It's a shame. I don't know why it happens – maybe there are not enough facilities. It's hard to put a finger on it but a big country like England, with such a love for the game, does not produce enough talent, and that is disappointing.”

City’s new proposal, which needs approval by the city council in December, aims to make the academy the best on the planet – and they aim to recruit and develop Manchester’s finest young talent alongside the cream from around the world. “Maybe there is not enough attention paid to youth development, and what this football club wants to do in the next few years is give opportunity for kids to develop, and play for the first team and then the national team,” said Vieira, now the club’s football development executive.

“Building a facility like this will show how important youth development is to this football club.”

Vieira feels youth development is neglected in this country in comparison to the best European countries, where statistics show kids are allowed to spend many more hours in football training.

The Premier League’s new elite player performance plan aims to redress that balance.

“In France, Clarefontaine gives kids the opportunity to develop and play for the first team and the national team, but in France youth development is a really important aspect of the game, and clubs put in more effort than clubs in this country,” said Vieira.

“In England, you have had a generation of players who have been fantastic but it has just been in the last few years you have not produced enough talent.

“When I was playing, England had quite a few players to choose from but now the choice is not so great.

“A facility like this will give the opportunity for coaching and development of young talent.”

Fulham 2 Manchester City 2

Manchester City surrendered their 100% record in this season's Barclays Premier League as Fulham stunned them with a second-half comeback at Craven Cottage.

City looked set to equal their best ever opening to a top-flight campaign when Sergio Aguero's jaw-dropping adaptation to life in England continued with the seventh and eighth goals of his five-game City league career.

He made it 2-0 just seconds after the break today but Fulham refused to buckle, with Bobby Zamora and Danny Murphy earning them a deserved draw.

The result was the first blow to City's title challenge and, coming four days after their first ever Champions League game, it cast doubt on the ability of Roberto Mancini's men to combine the rigours of domestic football with that of Europe's top club competition.

Today's game was the fourth time in the last four rounds of Premier League fixtures that City had kicked off before Manchester United.

They had been trumped by their arch-rivals on each occasion but arrived in west London determined to lay down another marker on a ground where they won 4-1 last season.

Fulham went like for like, manager Martin Jol keeping faith with his 4-2-3-1 system as he sought his first Premier League win in charge.

City went close to opening them up inside seven minutes after Edin Dzeko strayed offside when put through by Samir Nasri.

They continued to boss proceedings, and although Clint Dempsey sent a 25-yard drive straight down the throat of Joe Hart after 15 minutes, City duly took the lead three minutes later.

Gareth Barry found David Silva on the edge of the box, and he was allowed to turn and feed Aguero, who timed his run perfectly before sidefooting home.

Mark Schwarzer denied City a second goal three times in the space of three minutes, beating Dzeko to Aguero's cross, tipping Clichy's 20-yard shot wide and getting fingers to Dzeko's piledriver after another great move involving Yaya Toure and Silva.

The recalled Zamora ballooned a 30-yard shot into the stands as Fulham continued to be given the runaround, while Dempsey looked their only real threat, drilling another effort too close to Hart.

The frustrated home fans roared on encouragement as their side enjoyed a rare spell of possession but Fulham posed little threat to the City goal.

Jol emerged for the second half with a face like thunder, but whatever he said during the break appeared to be rendered void when Aguero doubled the visitors' lead straight from the kick-off.

Clichy pumped a diagonal ball forward to Dzeko, whose knockdown was fired into the bottom left corner by the Argentinian.

Aguero thought he had completed back-to-back Premier League hat-tricks - he hit one against Wigan eight days ago - three minutes later with an identical finish but he was narrowly offside.

The home side took full advantage of their reprieve when they finally created a gilt-edged chance in the 55th minute.

The build-up was of the City kind, ending when Dempsey threaded in the unmarked Zamora, who curled the ball into the top corner.

Zamora had been played onside by Micah Richards, who redeemed himself moments later when his last-ditch challenge stopped Dempsey making it 2-2.

Fulham's first-half lethargy had vanished and Barry was booked for chopping down Mousa Dembele, whose low drive was palmed wide by Hart after Pajtim Kasami replaced an ailing Damien Duff.

Hart excelled himself again by tipping over Dempsey's bullet header from a corner before Mancini took action, withdrawing Silva for Pablo Zabaleta midway through the half.

The visitors remained a threat on the break, Richards glancing wide from a corner.

But it was Fulham's pressure that told when they equalised 15 minutes from time, Danny Murphy's scuffed 20-yarder taking a huge deflection off Vincent Kompany and going beyond the stranded Hart.

Craven Cottage was rocking and Mancini was forced to make a change again when Adam Johnson and Carlos Tevez replaced Nasri and Aguero in quick succession.

The fresh legs almost told in the final five minutes when Tevez was denied by a brave Brede Hangeland block.

Sidwell was booked and Jol threw on Bryan Ruiz for the excellent Dembele but Toure almost had the final say when his 30-yard strike drifted wide.

Middlesbrough sign Man City's Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely

 

Tchuimeni-Nimely played for Liberia Under-20s before switching his allegiance to England 

 

Middlesbrough have signed Manchester City striker Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely on a three-month loan deal.

He played for England in the 2009 Under-20 World Cup and was an unused squad member in this year's event.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Liberia, has made two first-team appearances for City and signed a four-year deal at the club in April 2010.
The forward is expected to miss the trip to Crystal Palace in the Championship on Saturday.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini eyes Bayern clash

City manager Roberto Mancini was satisfied with the result and confident they can get a positive result in Germany.

He said: "It was good, the first game as always is difficult.

"It was difficult to play against Napoli because they defend very well and when they went on the attack they were dangerous.

"We played well but then we conceded a goal because for 10 minutes we played so-so but after we played well and scored, I'm happy."

As for the occasion, the Italian added: "We play our first game in the Champions League, maybe some players wanted to win the game alone because we played one touch too many in the first half.

"We wanted to win but the Champions League is hard, for us it was important to play well."

While it is known as the Group of Death, Mancini has no fear about the challenge ahead.

He said: "We win in Munich the next game."

Roberto Mancini determined to celebrate father’s day

 

Mancini Snr and Jnr

 

Roberto Mancini sends his team out to make history tonight – with his biggest critic sitting in the Etihad Stadium stands for the first time.

It will be a proud moment for the Blues boss as City play their first Champions League match, made even more poignant by the fact that his dad Aldo will see his team play for the first time.

Aldo suffered a serious heart attack during the Blues’ tour of the USA in July 2010, causing Roberto to fly back to Italy from Baltimore, fearing the worst.

But Mancini senior recovered enough for his son to pick up the reins and lead the Blues to the FA Cup triumph and into the Champions League – although Roberto took every available opportunity to fly home and see his dad during the season.

The Mancini family were hoping Aldo could travel to be at the FA Cup final, but he did not make it – now he will be at the Etihad Stadium tonight.

“It will be a special moment with my father being here but also because Napoli was always an important team in Italy when I was a player,” said Mancini.

“His health is good now. He is getting better and there are more important things for him at this moment than football. But he can’t play tonight!

“He has always been my biggest critic both as a manager and when I was a player. He criticised me every time I played!

“But this is important because if your father says these things it means they are true.”

Mancini senior admits he has always been on Roberto’s back, saying: “It is true what Roberto says, that I have always been his biggest critic.

“It was the same when he was a player as it is now, as a manager. But I am a winner by nature, that is all. All he can do in every game is win for Manchester, not for me. It is a pleasure to be here in Manchester. I love English football.”

Diego Maradona told Sergio Aguero to move to the Manchester City

 

City’s new hero Sergio Aguero (right) joined City following advice from World Cup legend Diego Maradona (inset)

 

Diego Maradona has revealed he advised his son-in-law Sergio Aguero to move to City.

The legendary Argentinian – considered by many to be the greatest player the world has ever seen – gave his blessing to the £38m deal which saw Aguero move to the Blues.

Real Madrid had also been in hot pursuit, along with Juventus, but Maradona told Aguero, nicknamed Kun, a move to City would be a good one. Now he is backing Aguero and his Blue team-mates to push hard for Premier League and Champions League honours.

“People at Atletico Madrid said I was a fool,” said Maradona, whose youngest daughter Giannina is married to the explosive City striker.

“I told them that this foolish person is not that much of a fool, because Aguero is playing in a team at Manchester City where he is going to fight for everything.

“It was not fair, with respect to his team-mates at Atletico Madrid, for Aguero to be playing for a team who were not competing for the big championships.

“It was worrying me that he may have played for many years for Atletico Madrid and for that time they would only have one star, and didn’t do much in Europe.

“Now Kun Aguero is playing at a place he deserves.”

Aguero is in line for his first European game for the Blues tomorrow after an explosive start to his career, Saturday’s hat-trick against Wigan taking his tally to six goals in four appearances.

Maradona’s blessing comes just before City take on Napoli, where the Argentinian legend achieved God-like status by leading them to two Serie A titles and a Uefa Cup in the late 1980s.

But Maradona cannot be at the Etihad Stadium for the game, as he is preparing his new United Arab Emirates club Al Wasl for an Etisalat Cup tie, ironically against Sheikh Mansour’s other club, Al Jazira.

David Silva can rival Barcelona star as best in world

 

David Silva

 

David Silva could be fighting it out with Lionel Messi to be the world’s number one player – had he not joined Manchester City!

That’s the verdict of Blues boss Roberto Mancini after seeing the brilliant little Spaniard dismantle Wigan and supply Sergio Aguero with a hat-trick on Saturday.

But Mancini is not belittling City – and believes that in the next year or two, when City are winning major honours and contending for the Champions League, Silva truly will be seen as one of the planet’s elite footballers like Messi.

Silva was unplayable at the Etihad Stadium, and Mancini was thankful the Blues had pulled off the coup of snatching the former Valencia star from under the noses of Barca and Real Madrid.

He said: “If he had gone to Barca two years ago, everyone would be saying he’s one of the best players in the world – and he is one of the best players in the world.

“He’s different from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo because they are strikers and score a lot of goals but I think he’s the same as Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

“Silva is a top, top player. I don’t know why he didn’t go to Barca or Real Madrid, because he’s Spanish, but we are lucky because he’s here.

“And not only him because we also have Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure, James Milner –  we have a good team but we have to improve still.”

Silva is being kept out of the Spanish national team by Barcelona pair Xavi and Iniesta, but that works in the Blues’ favour as he only played a 90-minute friendly during the recent international break, leaving him fresh for the Wigan game.

Mancini feels some personal sympathy for Silva, having two superstar players ahead of him in the Spanish squad, but he is delighted from City’s perspective: “It’s good for the club!” he said.

City also trumped neighbours United in landing Silva – the Reds tried to sign him in 2008 but had a bid turned down by Valencia.

And the player’s brilliant start to the season has even drawn praise from the other side of the great Manchester divide.

Paddy Crerand, the midfield schemer for United in the 1960s, believes the Blues have picked up the natural successor to former Red mainstay Paul Scholes, who retired this summer.

“Silva is Manchester City’s best player by far,” said Crerand, who won the European Cup with United in 1968.

“He creates, he scores and is blessed with great movement and imagination.”

Man City 3 - 0 Wigan

 
Aguero fires in his first and, after his hat-trick, now has six goals this season 

Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City produced a rampant display against Wigan to lead the Premier League.

City were well on top and had chances before Aguero opened the scoring on 13 minutes by shooting into the corner from David Silva's cutback.
Carlos Tevez had a tame penalty saved and Micah Richards and Vincent Kompany hit the woodwork.
But after the hour mark Aguero tucked in twice to seal victory.
Both the Argentine's second-half goals looked simple in their execution, after he was put clear by Samir Nasri and Silva, but in scoring his fifth and sixth goals of the season, Aguero again underlined his class

Man City can still improve - Mancini

The 23-year-old also signalled that any continued problems with Tevez would have little impact at the club, during a week when quiet has been hard to come by.
Tevez, who was making his first Premier League start this season, was at the heart of much of City's endeavour, despite being stripped of the captaincy this week.
And with Roberto Mancini's side now having scored 15 goals in four games, the display was the perfect way to put football back on the agenda after chief executive Garry Cook resigned following claims he mocked Nedum Onuoha's mother.
On a balmy afternoon with Tevez replacing Edin Dzeko in attack, City were into their stride from the beginning and should have been out of sight by half-time.
Adam Johnson and Silva both went close early on and even Joleon Lescott inadvertently deflected Kompany's header over, before Tevez helped create City's opener.

SERGIO AGUERO'S GOALS

Continue reading the main story

• Hat-trick as City beat Wigan
• One goal in 5-1 win against Tottenham
• Scores twice on debut as City hit four past Swansea

The Argentine fed Silva, who in turn cut the ball back to Aguero, with City's newest South American striker tucking into the bottom corner.
Tevez could then have capped his return to the side with a goal after Silva was upended in the penalty box, but his spot-kick was poor and Ali Al-Habsi saved to his right.
In between those events, Franco Di Santo got on the end of Maynor Figueroa's through ball, and with Joe Hart stranded in no-man's land, the keeper was relieved to see the ball bounce past the post.
But City were dominant and Richards should have scored when latching onto Tevez's through ball, but the England defender hit the underside of the bar.
New City skipper Kompany then thumped a header from a corner against the post, and when Richards smashed the rebound across goal, somehow Lescott missed from two yards.

City taught Wigan harsh lesson - Martinez

There were countless other chances but while the scoreline remained at 1-0 Di Santo caused some nervous moments in the hosts' defence.
Although Hart also looked shaky when he failed to grasp Hugo Rodallega's effort after a fine run by Victor Moses early in the second half, it was not long until City finally yielded the rewards their superiority deserved.
Tevez was replaced by Nasri just after the hour and within two minutes the former Arsenal midfielder had set up City's second goal.
Silva was involved again, as his drag-back teed up Nasri, and the Frenchman's poke set Aguero through for his fifth of the season.
That soon became six when Silva had acres to watch his team-mates' angled run, and Aguero simply slotted past a helpless Al-Habsi to seal the points.
Coming into the game Wigan had an unbeaten run of seven games going back to last season, but they had little chance of maintaining that record.
City, meanwhile, make their Champions League debut on Wednesday, and based on this evidence their opponents - Napoli - will have plenty to consider.

Saturday, 10 September 2011
Premier League

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Man City	3-0	Wigan	FT
(HT 1-0)
Aguero 13 Aguero 63 Aguero 69

Man City

• 25 Hart
• 02 Richards
• 04 Kompany
• 06 Lescott
• 22 Clichy
• 07 Milner
• 11 Johnson
• 21 Silva
• 42 Y Toure (Razak 80)
• 16 Aguero (Balotelli 71)
• 32 Tevez (Nasri 61)

Substitutes

• 30 Pantilimon,
• 05 Zabaleta,
• 28 K Toure,
• 19 Nasri,
• 62 Razak,
• 10 Dzeko,
• 45 Balotelli

Wigan

• 26 Al Habsi
• 05 Caldwell
• 17 Boyce (Stam 60)
• 24 Piscu
• 31 Figueroa
• 08 Watson (Crusat 70)
• 11 Moses
• 16 McArthur
• 21 Diame
• 09 Di Santo (Gomez 70)
• 20 Rodallega

Substitutes

• 01 Kirkland,
• 23 Stam,
• 04 McCarthy,
• 07 Crusat,
• 14 Gomez,
• 19 Jones,
• 18 Sammon

Ref: AtkinsonAtt: 46,509

MAN CITY

WIGAN

Possession

• Man City 59%
• Wigan 41%

Attempts on target

• Man City 10
• Wigan 5

Attempts off target

• Man City 13
• Wigan 4

Corners

• Man City 8
• Wigan 3

Fouls

• Man City 6
• Wigan 9

Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook quits over email

 

Cook said he felt privileged to have worked for Manchester City 

 

Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has resigned over claims he emailed defender Nedum Onuoha's cancer-suffering mother mocking her illness.

Cook offered his resignation after an investigation by City found "there is foundation" to the allegations.
He had denied sending the message, claiming his account was hacked.

GARRY COOK FACTFILE

• Born: Birmingham
• 1985: Moves to the United States
• 1996: Joins sportswear firm Nike. Heads up Brand Jordan, working with basketball star Michael Jordan
• May 2008: Recruited by new Man City owner Thaksin Shinawatra as chief executive
• June 2008: Appoints Mark Hughes as manager after Sven-Goran Eriksson is sacked
• September 2008: Club taken over by Abu Dhabi United Group, with Cook heading up player recruitment. Brazilian Robinho signs record £32.5m deal
• January 2009: City bring in Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy, Shay Given and Nigel de Jong but fail in bid for Kaka
• Summer 2009: City keep spending under Cook as Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and Emmanuel Adebayor all join
• November 2009: Cook mistakenly welcomes City legend Uwe Rosler to "the Manchester United hall of fame" at a club gala
• December 2009: Mark Hughes leaves City and is replaced by Roberto Mancini
• July 2010: Cook jots down a list of player targets on a napkin at a meal with Oasis singer Noel Gallagher in South Africa
• September 2011: Resigns as chief executive

The club issued a statement confirming the board had accepted Cook's resignation and that chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak had apologised to Dr Onuoha.
Defender Onuoha's mother, who acts as his agent, had previously sent a message to Marwood and Cook, explaining that while she was "ravaged with cancer" it would not prevent her negotiating on behalf of her son.
Dr Onuoha then received an email, allegedly from Cook and addressed "Brian", which apparently ridiculed her use of language in describing her illness.
The email is reported to have read: "Ravaged with it!!...I don't know how you sleep at night. You used to be such a nice man when I worked with you at Nike. G".
Dr Onuoha told the Sun the email had left her "humiliated and devastated".
The claims led City's board to launch an investigation and, following its findings, Cook offered his resignation and Khaldoon wrote to Dr Onuoha "to apologise for any distress caused".
In the statement, Khaldoon said: "Garry has made a remarkable contribution to Manchester City Football Club over the past three years. His judgement in this matter should in no way lead to his accomplishments being overlooked.
"On every level, the club is unrecognisable from the organisation which he inherited and our staff and supporter services, community outreach and commercial activity have seen unparalleled growth under his direction with yet more projects to be realised on the horizon.

Garry has made a remarkable contribution to Manchester City Football Club over the past three years. His judgement in this matter should in no way lead to his accomplishments being overlooked

Man City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak

 

"On behalf of Sheikh Mansour and the Board, I would like to thank him for his energy and tireless commitment to serving all those connected with the football club. He will always be welcome at Manchester City."
Cook said: "I am privileged to have held my position at Manchester City Football Club and to have experienced the opportunities that it has presented.
"The privilege is in part offset however by the significant personal focus which has at times, detracted from the magnificent achievements of those working at the football club.
"It is that factor, together with my error of judgement in this matter that has prompted me to reach this decision, which I believe is in the best interests of the football club."
City director John MacBeath will fill the role of temporary chief executive officer while a replacement is sought.

Manchester City unleash full force

 

Carlos Tevez is lined up for his first City start of the season

 

Roberto Mancini almost felt sorry for the City players left to watch from the sidelines as his vibrant team destroyed Spurs a fortnight ago.

It was “almost” because Italian managers don’t really do sympathy – they expect their players to be professional about being left out, and about being on the bench.

But for unused substitutes Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, James Milner, Adam Johnson, and for injured Nigel de Jong and odd man out Aleks Kolarov, Mancini expressed some private empathy.

“We have a very, very competitive, big squad,” said tactical coach David Platt. “The disappointment the manager has had is that he has almost had to apologise to the players who have had to go in the stands.

“Now they are back from international duty, we can concentrate on football matches rather than questions about the transfer market.

Finalise

“Not only that, we will be utilising the full squad we have, because the games are coming thick and fast.”

The Blues face Wigan tomorrow as they embark on a bewildering spell of seven games in 22 days, including Champions League clashes with Napoli and Bayern Munich.

So this is where the sympathy ends and the squad rotation begins. Tevez and Balotelli are lined up for their first starts of the season, as Mancini keeps one eye on Wednesday’s historic first Champions League game, at home to Napoli.

The manager won’t finalise his team until seeing what shape his players are in as they return from international duty.

But Tevez has had a fortnight of rest and training after being left out of Argentina’s squad for their friendlies on the Indian sub-continent.

Balotelli, in between an official visit to a prison, accusations of using an iPad on the bench and now a police summons to talk about his contact with Mafia figures, had just 20 minutes of football for Italy.

He is suspended for the Napoli game for his red card in last season’s Europa League win over Dynamo Kiev.

By contrast,  six-goal leading scorer Edin Dzeko played all but ten minutes of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s double-header with Belarus, while Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta have only just arrived back from their country’s exhibition matches in India and Bangladesh.

Aguero played 90 minutes over the two games, against Venezuela and Nigeria, while Zabaleta played all but seven minutes. Nigel de Jong is almost certain to be out with a foot injury which has forced him to wear a cast, and now there are doubts over Gareth Barry, who also picked up a foot knock in England’s win over Wales on Tuesday.

Samir Nasri broke a hand playing for France but took part in training with the hand strapped yesterday, and is keen to make his home debut.

Owen Hargreaves also took full part in training but it is thought to be too early for him to join the squad, even with de Jong and Barry doubtful.

After a fortnight without club action, the Blues resume their goal-happy feud with United at the top of the Premier League.

But Platt warned fans that they can’t expect the average of four goals a game to keep going, and that there will be times when patience is needed.

It should be remembered that City’s first home game this season saw newly-promoted Swansea boss the game for half an hour before the Blues found the tactical answer and stormed to a 4-0 win.

Platt said: “It’s difficult when you have just won 5-1 not to get too carried away with it, but there is a little bit of football to be played between now and the end of the season.

Ragged

“Three games in you can’t call it a marker for the Premier League title race. The win at Spurs was a statement, but we were already aware we could produce that kind of performance.”

Now City need to build on that win, which had the fans desperate for more.

“The pleasing thing for us was not just the movement that we got but the fact that when we lost the ball we wanted to win it back early and that holes that appeared because of our defensive movement were filled,” said Platt.

“The front players, David, Samir, Sergio and Edin were very, very unselfish as well to fill holes that needed filling.”

The win at Spurs was a staggering turnaround from just over a year earlier,  when the Blues were run ragged on the opening day of the season, snatching a point thanks to Joe Hart’s brilliance and some dogged, desperate defending.

But Platt says the team has taken large strides forward since that day.

“Last year we had players out, and David Silva wasn’t ready after the World Cup, so he didn’t start the game,” said Platt.

“And players weren’t aware of each others’ characteristics. The players in that game were good players but not aware of each other and what each other did.

“Now there is more of an awareness. They know where they should be on the pitch, and where other players should be, and they will fill holes.

“There is a fluidity about us in possession and out of possession, and we are more of a team than we were at the beginning of last season.

“If I can sit there and watch that every week I’ll be happy!”

Italian mafia investigators to approach Mario Balotelli

 

Mario Balotelli has said he is completely relaxed about answering any questions

Anti-mafia investigators in Italy want to interview Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli over a visit he made to a known mafia hot spot in Naples.

Prosecutors say they want to interview him over possible contacts he may have had unwittingly with the Neapolitan mafia, the Camorra, last year.
The move is part of a wider investigation into money laundering.
There is no suggestion Balotelli has committed any crime. He says he is very relaxed about answering any questions.
The investigators' approach comes after Balotelli was photographed in the company of a couple of known Camorra gangsters as he toured one of the most deprived, violent and crime-ridden parts of Naples.
Earlier this week Balotelli was given a hero's welcome when he visited a prison in Florence with other members of the Italy squad.
Born in Italy to Ghanaian parents - but adopted by an Italian family when he was still a child - he is one of the very few black players to have pulled on the famous blue shirt of the Italian national team.
Throughout his playing career in Italy he was consistently the target of racist abuse by a minority of fans.
He is not the first footballer to mingle with the mob.
Arguably the greatest player of all - the Argentinian, Diego Maradona - was well-known for his allegedly close relationship with several Camorra godfathers during his time playing for Napoli in the 1980s.

Manchester City full-back Micah Richards eyes Wigan comeback

 

Micah Richards

 

Manchester City defender Micah Richards is confident he will be fit for the weekend clash with Wigan.

The Blues right-back withdrew from the England squad to face Wales with a tight hamstring.

“I felt a bit of tightness in the hamstring and it is not something I want to take any chances with,” he told www.mcfc.co.uk.

“I missed some games last season with a similar problem and thought it best to be as cautious as possible. I have had the injury looked at and I am confident I will be available for the Wigan game at the weekend.

“No one wants to miss a minute of the season after the start we have had. It is only three games and we are not getting carried away. Our feet are firmly on the ground but we want to keep going. We have played some magical stuff so far.”

Richards has started two of City's three Premier League games so far this season and came off the bench against Tottenham.

Manchester City v Birmingham Carling Cup date confirmed

Manchester City's Carling Cup third round clash against Birmingham at the Etihad Stadium has been confirmed for Wednesday September 21 (kick-off 7.45pm).

Holders Birmingham have made a slow start to life in the Championship, with just four points from their opening four games.

But they held City to two draws in the Premier League last season.

Micah Richards pulled out of England squad

 

Micah Richards has been ruled out of England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales on Tuesday due to injury.

Richards is thought to have suffered a hamstring injury and has returned to Manchester City.

City's other right back options were in international duty.

Pablo Zabaleta played 83 minutes of Argentina's 1-0 victory over Venezuela in India.

And new signing Stefan Savic played a full game in Montenegro's 2-1 defeat to Wales.

Striker Darrent Bent has also left the England squad with a groin problem after missing training.

Uwe Rosler says Manchester City are title challengers

Uwe Rosler watched from the stands as City hammered Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane.

With a squad of world-class players, he already knew the Blues were genuine title challengers before the Premier League season kicked off.

But he insists anyone who wasn’t of the same mindset then, certainly will be now after the five-star show in north London.

“It was a magnificent performance, offensively and defensively,” said Rosler, now manager of League One Brentford.

“It’s been a strong, strong start. You can’t start better than winning three out of three.

“They will challenge for the title over the nine months of the season. With the players they have they are more than capable of doing that. In the end, it’s all about silverware.”

He added: “They’ve played some good football and I’m surprised how quickly Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri have settled into the way the team play.”

But what hasn’t surprised Rosler is how fast City have come out of the blocks.

The German insists the hard work was done last season and that Roberto Mancini’s men will reap the rewards when the silverware is dished out in May.

“Last year, more players arrived and there was a different pre-season schedule because of the World Cup which was difficult,” said Rosler.

“But this year most of the group have been together for at least a year and they have established relations between each other.

“On the field, the team is settled and there are only one or two new players. That makes it easier for the new players to settle in because the main part of the group has been together for quite some time.

“Last year was very important. The players know the system and the players the manager has brought in have been right for that system.

“They have a very good squad and I think they will be successful on all fronts. They are right up there. At the moment, it’s looking very, very promising.”

Rosler is just as bullish about City’s chances in the Champions League. He had a taste of the tournament during a season at Kaiserslautern after leaving Maine Road and he insists the Blues will have no problem coping with life at Europe’s top table.

“No problem, whatsoever,” he said. “Last year, City were strong in the Europa League even when they weren’t fielding the strongest team.

“They should have gone further. I was commentating on the game against Dynamo Kiev and, unfortunately, they lost a player.

“If it had been 11 v 11, City would have made the semi-finals. They have not had the experience in Europe over the last decade but they showed last year they will have no problem coping. “
They have players and a manager with experience in the Champions League so they will have no problem at all.”

:: The Masters Cup in sponsored by nationwide builders’ warehouse Selco, which has branches in Ardwick, Ashton Moss and Baguley.

Uwe was talking ahead of the Selco Masters Cup grand final at the M.E.N. Arena (Sunday 6pm start), which sees City, United, Liverpool, Leeds, Aston Villa, Notts County, Watford and Rangers compete for the title.

Man City's Carlos Tevez has 'love-hate relationship' with Roberto Mancini

 

Tevez moved to City from rivals Manchester United in July 2009 

 

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez says he has a "love-hate relationship" with manager Roberto Mancini.

The 27-year-old also said he was staying with the Premier League club after his wife joined him in Manchester.
Tevez revealed: "We had clashes with Mancini in every language but it's a love-hate relationship."
City have been boosted by the return of Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure following a six-month ban for failing a drugs test.
Tevez returned to Argentina after he was left out of his country's 1-0 win over Venezuela in a friendly in India.
And the striker, who has only featured as a late sub in the 3-2 win over Bolton Wanderers so far this season for City, spoke highly of Mancini.

TEVEZ SAGA TIMELINE

• 12 December 2010 - Tevez says he is going to leave Man City
• 20 December 2010 - Withdraws transfer request and commits future to club
• 16 May 2011 - Says he will only stay at club if solution found to "family issues"
• 8 June 2011 - Tevez says he will never return to "small and wet" Manchester
• 4 July 2011 - Confirms he is going to leave Manchester City
• 31 August 2011 - Tevez concedes he must stay at the Etihad Stadium

He said: "He's fantastic, he wants to win and me too.
"He told me to come to Buenos Aires to enjoy a holiday. He left me out of these first few matches because I told him I needed to get in shape.
"I'm happy at City and I'm not moving from there."
City team-mate Toure says he can't wait to return after a frustrating time on the sideline serving a ban for taking a diet pill, which contained a prohibited substance.
The 30-year-old said: "I feel totally recharged and as fit as I've ever been in my life.
"Hopefully, it will be like having a new signing because I am back and want to challenge for a first-team place.
"I know it won't be easy because the team is playing so well but I'll be pushing hard for an opportunity.
"I'm just so happy to be back and I will give everything I have to the team, this club and our fans. I can't wait to get going."
Toure missed the last three months of the 2010-2011 campaign and watched from the stands as City won the FA Cup with a goal from his brother Yaya.
"Yaya has been incredible and, as brothers, this has brought us even closer, he was always there for me," he said.
"I will try and repay our amazing supporters for all their good wishes, kind words and support."