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Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli says he did not get on with Brendan Rodgers

Nice forward Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring
Image: Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring for Nice

Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli claims his relationship with Brendan Rodgers was a "disaster".

The Italy international, who left Liverpool in the last transfer window for French side Nice, revealed he had issues with Rodgers in a discussion about his former coaches.

Balotelli praised former Inter and City boss Roberto Mancini, Jose Mourinho and Nice coach Lucien Favre, while having little to say on current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who let him leave Anfield. 

Mario Balotelli glares at Brendan Rodgers after the striker was substituted in a Liverpool match
Image: Mario Balotelli glares at Brendan Rodgers after the striker was substituted in a Liverpool match

"For me, the one most on the ball remains Mancini; fantastic, I owe him so much," Balotelli said when asked about his former managers.

"In second place I put Favre with Mourinho; to Portuguese is talented and motivated, it's a pity we had a falling-out.

"The worst? Not Jurgen Klopp, I am not angry with him. If he has created a certain situation at Liverpool, maybe he should have had more patience with me.

"In truth I had the biggest disappointment with Rodgers. I enjoyed myself with him in training but our relationship was a disaster."

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(Files) In this file picture taken on December 26, 2010 Manchester City's Italian manager Roberto Mancini (R) clashes with his Italian striker Mario Balote
Image: Manchester City's Italian manager Roberto Mancini (right) clashes with striker Balotelli

The ex-Inter Milan forward spent three years at Manchester City before returning to Italy to play with AC Milan, prior to his surprise switch to Merseyside in 2014.

But the 26-year-old never really settled at Liverpool, and he returned to AC Milan on loan after just one year.

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