• Premier League

Robinho claims Mancini showed a "lack of ability"

Soccernet staff
March 6, 2010
Roberto Mancini and Robinho did not always see eye-to-eye at City © Getty Images
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Robinho has cast further doubt over his long-term future at Manchester City by describing Roberto Mancini as a manager suffering from a "lack of ability" in his dealings with the striker.

While City and Mancini maintain they want Robinho to return to the club following the expiration of his loan spell with Santos, the striker has scored four goals in six games in Brazil to enhance his international prospects ahead of the World Cup, and appears ready to burn his bridges with the Premier League club.

British football's all-time record signing has accused Mancini of undermining his morale by repeatedly substituting him during games, and was particularly critical of the Italian for his decision-making in a game against Everton in January when Robinho entered the game as a substitute after nine minutes, only to be taken off himself in the second half.

"At City, when I was playing, I knew that at some point the substitution board would go up and I was going to come off because the manager didn't have trust in me," Robinho told the Guardian. "Then, you start to lose your confidence on the pitch."

"I spoke to the manager after the [Everton] game. He admitted to me that he had made a mistake taking me off. It was the first time I have had to go through something like that in my career but I suppose there's always a first time. It wasn't a lack of respect, though. I just think it was a lack of ability on the part of the manager."

Robinho's loan deal with Santos is due to expire on August 4. The striker recently scored in Brazil's 2-0 victory over Republic of Ireland at Emirates Stadium.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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