Robinho's parting shot

Robinho: Citical of City

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Robinho claims that he is pleased to have swapped life at Manchester City for AC Milan after a difficult time at Eastlands.

The Brazil superstar finally got his wish to leave City last week when he completed an £18 million move to the Italian giants.

The 26-year-old Samba star felt that life under Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini was like going to work in an office environment rather than a football club.

Robinho, who cost City £32.5 million, told The People: "Neither Hughes nor Mancini understood me.

"Perhaps they only believed in the sporting side of things but that wasn't enough for me.

"There was a lack of contact between the players and the club.

"It was much like an office - to training and goodbye, to a match and goodbye.

"I am Brazilian and I can't offer my best performance if I'm not happy in every aspect of life.

"That was my problem. I am a special footballer and I need to be happy when I'm playing.

"That was the case at Real Madrid but never at City."

Confidence

Robinho also claims that the club lost confidence in him and he was pleased to get loaned out to his former club Santos otherwise his World Cup chances would have been in jeopardy.

"After Mark left and I don't think that Mancini had confidence in me. Going on loan to Santos was the best solution because, if I'd stayed at City, I would not have played in the World Cup.

"The loan was very successful. I recaptured my love of football, won a title and ­confirmed my place in the Brazil team.

"It was an excellent experience and they tried to extend my loan, but City had made up their minds to sell."

Dark nights

The Brazilian also slammed City's ambitions of becoming a bigger club than their Old Trafford neighbours as well as castigating the Manchester weather.

"When I arrived, the directors at City told me that, in a couple of years, we would overtake United, but the time has passed and nothing has changed.

"Manchester is a sensational venue for football but an awful place to live...the winter, the cold and the dark nights. It's very hard for a young Brazilian.

"The Premier League is one of the best in the world, without a doubt.

"The stadiums are always full and the atmosphere is incredible.

"But not every footballer is able to play in England. The character can be difficult for a foreigner."