CARLOS TEVEZ’S hopes of playing again for Manchester City appear remote after Roberto Mancini rejected the forward’s claim that he treated him “like a dog” during the incident at Bayern Munich that caused the 28-year-old to become estranged from the club.
The manager retorted that, in fact, he had treated Tevez “too well” and a source close to him said the Italian and City’s staff have been “hurt” by the Argentinian’s outburst on Monday.
Mancini was asked here, on the eve of the opening leg of City’s Europa League last-32 tie against Porto, about Tevez’s “dog” claim. He said: “I don’t want to answer your question because the game is more important than this but I answer only this question and after this no more because we have this game and it is an important game against a top club in Porto. I totally disagree with Carlos and what he says because I have never treated him badly.
“Maybe it’s the opposite and I have treated him too well, always. Now – finished. I don’t want to talk any more. This is the last question I answer on this for the next three months.”
In March 2010 Mancini allowed Tevez as much compassionate leave as he required after being granted permission to fly home to Argentina where his daughter was in intensive care after bring born prematurely. The Italian also rebuilt Tevez’s relationship with the club after the striker handed in a transfer request later that year and he was prepared to play him when his proposed move to Corinthians last summer fell through.
The source close to Mancini added: “The manager is a very forgiving person and he was willing to open the door again for Carlos – if he said sorry. But he was hurt by what was said in the interview – a lot of the staff were hurt by it.”
Tevez finally returned to City on Tuesday after more than three months away from the club, an absence that will cost him around £1.2 million in docked wages. Tevez is yet to meet or speak to Mancini and yesterday he started a fitness programme at City’s Carrington training base.
James Milner attempted to play down the dispute. Asked whether Tevez’s return may affect morale, he said: “I don’t really understand the difficulties. We just carry on playing football . . . Our focus is on the games.”
