Roberto Mancini has launched a blistering attack on the role some agents play in the careers of their clients.
Man City manager worried about side's reputation
Roberto Mancini has launched a blistering attack on the role some agents play in the careers of their clients, while he has also expressed concern about Manchester City's reputation as the 'new Wimbledon'.
Mancini had to insist on Monday that he had not always had a problem with Tevez, following claims from his advisor Kia Joorabchian last week that the relationship between the pair had never been good.
The City manager has now hit out at the way some agents operate, although he did not mention Joorabchian by name.
"Sometimes it is difficult to understand why some players have certain agents," said Mancini.
"If I was a player I would never take an agent like some who work here.
"First the agent should find the player work, after that they should help players in difficult situations; help them, not put them against the club or the manager or the other players.
"Agents are important for doing this, not only for earning lots of money."
Unlucky
As well as speaking out about agents, Mancini has voiced his belief that City's reputation is suffering as a result of their growing disciplinary woes.
City have had five men sent off this season, including Gareth Barry and Vincent Kompany in successive games at the start of January.
In addition, Mario Balotelli will serve the second match of a four-game suspension when he misses Tuesday's Premier League trip to Everton after being found guilty of violent conduct when he lashed out at Scott Parker.
It is not a great record. Yet Mancini's team are hardly the physical side it would make them appear to be.
"We are a bad team," said Mancini. "Like Wimbledon."
The verdict was delivered with a rueful smile, as if the Italian could hardly believe it himself.
"My players are good players," he said.
"They never did a bad tackle on another player. This is not on our minds. But that is why I have said we have been unlucky for the last two months."
