Mancini treated me like a dog, says returning Tevez
MANCHESTER CITY exile Carlos Tevez has jeopardised his fragile hopes of a rapprochement by launching a fresh attack on manager Roberto Mancini, who he accused of treating him like a dog.
Tevez, who is due back at the club today following four months of bad blood, revealed he once nearly came to blows with Mancini but also pledged to win over the fans who burned his shirt.
The Argentina star fled to his homeland last year after City fined him and made him train with the reserves for refusing to come on as a substitute in a September Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.
But, in a lengthy interview with Argentinean television, he continued to dispute the club’s version of events, insisting he only refused to warm up, and even then just because of barbs from Mancini.
Tevez said he stopped warming up because he felt Mancini was making defensive substitutions, and then bore the brunt of his manager’s temper following a touchline row between Mancini and Edin Dzeko.
“He’s in the middle of an argument so then he tells me to keep on warming up and treats me like a dog. So when he spoke to me in that tone of voice, I said: ‘No, I’m not going out’,” Tevez said.
“So I was willing to play, but the coach was in such a foul mood because he had that argument with Dzeko. He started on me as well, started swearing at me. Mancini said some horrible things to me.”
Tevez, whose hopes of moving to Spain, Italy or France in January and the summer ran aground on the Premier League leaders’ £25m asking price, revealed a previous clash with Mancini that almost boiled over into violence.
“Last season we almost exchanged punches,” he added. “It was after a home game against Newcastle. We almost hit each other in the dressing room but we spoke the following day.”
Mancini hinted on Sunday that an apology would be necessary for Tevez to be considered for selection again.
The South American did not indicate contrition but said: “I’ve decided to return to City. I know I have what it takes to change the situation. I know it’ll be hard, but it’s a nice challenge.”
Mancini said Tevez would never play for the club again following the Bayern game, which contributed to their group stage exit in the Champions League.
“If it’s true that Mancini said he will welcome me back if I’m fit, then I like those quotes, but he also said I was never going to be playing for him again, so I don’t know,” Tevez added.
“I’ll do my best to be available and play. I know I can be back on the pitch in two weeks.”
City have remained on course for their first top-flight title since 1968 during Tevez’s absence. Their next match is against Porto on Thursday in the Europa League.