Robinho frustrated with Mancini

Samba star feels at home with Santos after back-heel goal

By James Riach   Last updated: 9th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Robinho frustrated with Mancini

Robinho: Happy at Santos

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Brazilian forward Robinho admits he was left frustrated by the tactics of Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.

Robinho left Eastlands on loan to his former club Santos for six months in January, and scored on his return with a back-heel against Sao Paulo on Sunday.

A successful first season with City saw the 26-year-old net 15 goals, but he fell out of favour with former manager Mark Hughes before Mancini decided to let him leave.

The Brazil international says he is already enjoying his football in his native country, where he feels he benefits more from the style of play.

"He (Mancini) has a different way of thinking," he told the Daily Mail. "In Brazil, the coach respects the player's characteristics.

"In Europe, they are used to playing with two lines of four players, and they don't want to know what you can do.

"There, if you are a forward, the coach sends you onto the pitch just to run. You have to run and that's it."

European spell

Before City splashed £32.5million on the Samba star, he had already had a three-year stint with Real Madrid.

But again after an impressive start to life at the Bernabeu, he quickly found first-team chances hard to come by under then manager Fabio Capello.

Robinho admits he is looking to forget his time in Europe and instead focus on his own 'happiness', as well as making sure he makes the Brazil squad for this summer's World Cup.

"I came here in search of happiness," he added. "I get depressed when things are not right. I know my responsibilities.

"On Sunday (against Sao Paulo), I made a lot of people happy. The goal wasn't difficult. It was the only way I could score.

"I am preparing mentally and physically to be the best player at the World Cup. I'm at a good age. I have to get flying."

Meanwhile, Mark Bowen, former assistant manager at City under Mark Hughes, says the Brazilian could not cope with the physical nature of the Premier League.

"He took a lot of stick but he did massively underperform, especially away from home," he said.

"I just thought that, physically, he wasn't really up to the challenges of the Premier League."

Barclays Premier League. Click here to bet.

Post to your View!

Be the first to post a comment on this story

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private