Friday's B*l**x
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 8:10 amTHE BOLLOX
Revolting! Meddling Mancini is losing the Manchester City dressing room
Players are no longer bothering to hide their disdain for the tinkering and tactics that saw left-back Clichy end up at right-back in loss to Ajax
Roberto Mancini is facing a battle to head off a dressing-room mutiny at Manchester City.
Mancini summoned his players in to City's training ground on Thursday morning for an inquest into their 3-1 Champions League loss to Ajax, despite the squad having not arrived back from Holland until 1am.
Several senior City players have become disillusioned with the Italians approach, culminating in their humiliating 3-1 Champions League defeat at Ajax.
Mancini was furious with his side for lurching to the brink of another Champions League group stage exit and is himself facing growing unrest from within the squad over his own approach.
Micah Richards questioned Mancini's decison to switch formations several times during the Ajax game, while fellow defender Joleon Lescott said City's players were not "overly enthusiastic" with how this season had gone, hinting at further discord.
Mancini started the match against Ajax with a 4-2-3-1 system, changed midway through to 4-4-2 and then abandoned that for 3-5-2 during the second-half, leaving his players completely bewildered.
Richards pulled no punches in his post-match assessment and made no secret of the fact there was opposition within the dressing-room to operating with a three-man defence.
"It's not something that we've worked on a lot, we're just used to a back four," said Richards. "But the manager likes it and if we want to do well then we'll have to work harder on it.
"It's a hard system and I think the players prefer 4-4-2, but he's the manager and we'll do what he says."
Mancini is famed for his stubborn streak and believes good players should be able to adapt to any formation, despite the fact they may have a preference for a particular system.
But the City boss faces a fresh test of his managerial power, with several of his players no longer bothering to hide their obvious disdain for his tinkering and tactics.
Mancini should be used to the script by now though, after nearly three years in charge at City.
The Italian has had to work against a backdrop of player dissent throughout his tenure, so the latest rumblings of discontent are unlikely to faze him.
Mancini was praised for his handling of Carlos Tevez's one-man mutiny last season and for the way he dealt with various training-ground skirmishes between his players as they - literally - fought their way to the Premier League title.
But with City now facing Champions League elimination at the group stage for the second year running and players publicly voicing their dismay at Mancini's tactics and approach, the City boss finds himself under pressure and scrutiny once again.
It all amounts to a club with serious issues to address within the dressing-room and on the training pitch if this season is not to see a return of City's familar under-achievement after last term's glorious title success.
Although Mancini's position is not under immediate threat - he only signed a new £7m-a-season, five-year contract in the summer - there will be disquiet among senior City figures over his perceived tactical failings at the highest level in Europe.
Confusion reigned among the players as Mancini switched their formation at least three times in Amsterdam.
From 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2, they ended up playing 3-5-2 - with left-back Gael Clichy inexplicably at right-back.
The arrival of Italian defensive coach Angelo Gregucci, Mancini's former assistant at Fiorentina, has not had the desired effect, as City have conceded 20 in 12 games this season, and kept just one clean sheet.
Mancini is having to act as an interpreter for Gregucci, who cannot speak English.
Meanwhile, rumours from Spain about former Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain fulfilling the same role at City hints at dissatisfaction from the club's hierarchy with the current regime.
City lost at Real Madrid in their opening group game, having led 2-1 with three minutes left, and only snatched a point against Borussia Dortmund with a last-minute penalty, having been totally outplayed by the German champions.
But for that fortuitously awarded spot-kick, City would be on zero points from three games, which sums up how little they have learned since last season's debut Champions League campaign.
"It's hard to put your finger on why it isn't working, other than to say the opposition is a great standard," said Lescott.
"Three wins from the last three is the only option now.
"It's going to be hard but two of those are at home and maybe that will give us chance to impose ourselves on the opposition.
"We still believe we have the players to do well in this competition. On paper our squad looks great but paper doesn't win games, does it?
"We need to pull it together and do it out there."
City have been poor defensively this season, with Lescott admitting the criticism they have come in for is justified.
The England international and skipper Vincent Kompany formed a formidable defensive partnership last season as City snatched the title in dramatic style.
But Mancini's willingness to break up that pairing, with the arrival of Nastasic, along with his desire to play with three centre-backs at times, has seen City lose their defensive solidity.
"Last season we were good, not conceding many goals," said Lescott. "We got a lot of plaudits, so it's only fair that we get criticism now because we are conceding more goals.
"It's been a slow-ish start to the season but we're in the top three of the Premier League and still in with a chance of qualifying for the next stage of this."
However, the cold reailty for City is that their humiliating 3-1 defeat away to Ajax has left them bottom of Group D with just one point from three games.
Ajax, who had seven academy graduates involved, have left City needing to win their remaining three group games - and even that might not be enough for them to reach the knokcout stage.
City's players fear their Champions League woes may have a negative impact on their domestic form and wreck their title defence.
But Lescott, who was at fault for Ajax's second goal, said City could not afford to let their European problems spill over in the Premier League.
"There's still a chance," he said. "Until it's mathematically impossible, we have to still believe we can do it.
"As a team we're not overly-enthusiastic about the way things are going.
"But we can't let it affect our league form. We haven't done so far and we won't do on Saturday.
"Swansea will be a very different game. We're at home so we'll look to dictate that game and create some more chances."
While City remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season, the club's Abu Dhabi owners had set Mancini a minimum target of reaching the knockout stage in the Champions League, with the expectation of advancing further
Despite publicly playing down their Champions League hopes, those in power at City had privately hoped to make a big impression on the competition this season, given the huge investment in the squad over the past four years.
While Mancini is said to still be smarting over City's failure to land his top transfer targets in the summer, Robin van Persie and Eden Hazard among them, he is unlikely to garner any sympathy from his employers, who still allowed him to spend £50million.
Javi Garcia, Maicon, Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and Matija Nastasic were all recruited late on in the transfer window, and Mancini feels City's failure to do their transfer business early in the summer has been reflected in their poor European performance.
City closing in on deal with former Barcelona director Begiristain as Chelsea and Spurs lurk
Manchester City are close to persuading former Barcelona director of football Txiki Begiristain to join the club.
In a move which will spell re-organisation behind the scenes at Eastlands, the 48-year-old is ready to team up with his friend, City chief executive and former Barca vice-president, Ferran Soriano despite been courted by Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea.
He will take up a technical director role which will give him responsibility for recruitment and will also look to bring in former Johan Cruyff adviser Joan Patsy.
Begiristain is also a close ally of Pep Guardiola and, following City’s performance against Ajax in the Champions League, the appointment will only further speculation that under-fire coach Roberto Mancini will be replaced by the wily Spaniard.
However, Guardiola is determined to see out his year’s sabbatical despite the likes of Chelsea, AC Milan and Bayern Munich also all maintaining an interest in his next move.
Begiristain, who was an attacking midfielder for John Toshack’s Real Sociedad and Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’ of the early 1990s, spent seven years as director of football at Barcelona before leaving in 2010.
He was responsible for bringing in the like of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Dani Alves while maintaining the development of La Masia programme which spawned talent such as Lionel Messi.
His arrival would also change responsibilities for football administrator Brian Marwood who has clashed with Mancini over player recruitment.
Tottenham were very keen for Begiristain to join and he was interested in a move to London but a move to City will underline his belief that they are building the right project to dominate European football.
Celtic chief scout John Park is among other contenders for the role at Tottenham.
West Ham could offer Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, 33, a return to London when his contract at Old Trafford ends next summer. Daily Mirror
West Ham are also interested in signing Lokomotiva striker Andrej Kramaric, 21, who has scored eight goals in just 12 league starts while on loan from fellow Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. talkSHIT
Wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are planning a big-money move for Manchester United's 27-year-old striker Wayne Rooney. Anzhi team director Roberto Carlos said: "Why not? He's one of the best players in the world and any team would be happy to have him in their squad." Sun
Liverpool sent scouts to watch Celtic forward Gary Hooper, 24, play against Barcelona on Tuesday night, as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his strike force in January. DSSC
Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama has rejected the offer of a contract extension and that will encourage the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United to step in with a January offer for the Kenya international for whom £8m summer bid from QPR was rejected. Daily Telegraph
Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke jumped to the defence of his Arsenal regime following a stormy Annual General Meeting. He said: "I am ambitious for the club. We have an exciting future and our goal is to win trophies." Daily Telegraph
Blackburn assistant manager Eric Black says Harry Redknapp would be a "sensational" appointment at Ewood Park. The former Tottenham boss is rumoured to be interested in the role. Daily Star
Former Arsenal star Stewart Robson believes the Gunners' defensive problems could be down to a "rift" between manager Arsene Wenger and his assistant Steve Bould. talkSHIT
Ashley Cole is eager to defuse tensions with the Ferdinand family by shaking hands with Rio when Chelsea play Manchester United on Sunday. DSSC
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has revealed he felt "really uncomfortable" when the Villa fans chanted his name while he was still the manager of Norwich. Birmingham Mail
BBC football pundit and former England captain Alan Shearer is among the front-runners to become the new manager of Ipswich after being interviewed for the post on Thursday. Daily Telegraph
Former Scotland and Hearts manager George Burley is hoping for a return to former club Ipswich Town after the Championship strugglers sacked Paul Jewell. Daily Record
West Brom are targeting Cardiff City's head of player recruitment Iain Moody as a successor to sporting director Dan Ashworth. The Times
Rangers chief executive Charles Green has ditched plans to make a quick exit from Ibrox and vowed to stay at the Glasgow club until they have risen from Division Three to the Champions League. Daily Record
Rangers are angry that the Scottish Football Association sent a £200,000 sell-on fee for former Ibrox midfielder Charlie Adam's move from Liverpool to Stoke City to the administrators of the old club instead of the new one. Daily Record
Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson says Rangers will almost certainly not be fast-tracked into the Scottish Premier League because there is no way 11 out of the 12 clubs will agree on a form of league reconstruction. Daily Record
Dunfermline Athletic are facing turmoil after the resignation of seven directors, including club legend Jim Leishman, over attempts to buy the club from major shareholder Gavin Masterton, sparking fears among fans over the future of the club. The Herald
Scotland captain Gemma Fay, whose side missed out on the Euro 2013 finals after a last-second play-off defeat by Spain, says the Scottish Football Association needs to offer professional contracts if it wants their near all-amateur squad to continue to outperform professional squads at international level. The Herald
Australian football fans are being given the chance to see "what makes Emile Heskey so good" as Fox Sports launch Heskeycam. The Independent
Dumbarton have been inundated with application for their managerial vacancy, but chief executive Gilbert Lawrie says 75% of them come from computer football management game geeks. Daily Record
MORE BOLLOX LATER ...
Revolting! Meddling Mancini is losing the Manchester City dressing room
Players are no longer bothering to hide their disdain for the tinkering and tactics that saw left-back Clichy end up at right-back in loss to Ajax
Roberto Mancini is facing a battle to head off a dressing-room mutiny at Manchester City.
Mancini summoned his players in to City's training ground on Thursday morning for an inquest into their 3-1 Champions League loss to Ajax, despite the squad having not arrived back from Holland until 1am.
Several senior City players have become disillusioned with the Italians approach, culminating in their humiliating 3-1 Champions League defeat at Ajax.
Mancini was furious with his side for lurching to the brink of another Champions League group stage exit and is himself facing growing unrest from within the squad over his own approach.
Micah Richards questioned Mancini's decison to switch formations several times during the Ajax game, while fellow defender Joleon Lescott said City's players were not "overly enthusiastic" with how this season had gone, hinting at further discord.
Mancini started the match against Ajax with a 4-2-3-1 system, changed midway through to 4-4-2 and then abandoned that for 3-5-2 during the second-half, leaving his players completely bewildered.
Richards pulled no punches in his post-match assessment and made no secret of the fact there was opposition within the dressing-room to operating with a three-man defence.
"It's not something that we've worked on a lot, we're just used to a back four," said Richards. "But the manager likes it and if we want to do well then we'll have to work harder on it.
"It's a hard system and I think the players prefer 4-4-2, but he's the manager and we'll do what he says."
Mancini is famed for his stubborn streak and believes good players should be able to adapt to any formation, despite the fact they may have a preference for a particular system.
But the City boss faces a fresh test of his managerial power, with several of his players no longer bothering to hide their obvious disdain for his tinkering and tactics.
Mancini should be used to the script by now though, after nearly three years in charge at City.
The Italian has had to work against a backdrop of player dissent throughout his tenure, so the latest rumblings of discontent are unlikely to faze him.
Mancini was praised for his handling of Carlos Tevez's one-man mutiny last season and for the way he dealt with various training-ground skirmishes between his players as they - literally - fought their way to the Premier League title.
But with City now facing Champions League elimination at the group stage for the second year running and players publicly voicing their dismay at Mancini's tactics and approach, the City boss finds himself under pressure and scrutiny once again.
It all amounts to a club with serious issues to address within the dressing-room and on the training pitch if this season is not to see a return of City's familar under-achievement after last term's glorious title success.
Although Mancini's position is not under immediate threat - he only signed a new £7m-a-season, five-year contract in the summer - there will be disquiet among senior City figures over his perceived tactical failings at the highest level in Europe.
Confusion reigned among the players as Mancini switched their formation at least three times in Amsterdam.
From 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2, they ended up playing 3-5-2 - with left-back Gael Clichy inexplicably at right-back.
The arrival of Italian defensive coach Angelo Gregucci, Mancini's former assistant at Fiorentina, has not had the desired effect, as City have conceded 20 in 12 games this season, and kept just one clean sheet.
Mancini is having to act as an interpreter for Gregucci, who cannot speak English.
Meanwhile, rumours from Spain about former Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain fulfilling the same role at City hints at dissatisfaction from the club's hierarchy with the current regime.
City lost at Real Madrid in their opening group game, having led 2-1 with three minutes left, and only snatched a point against Borussia Dortmund with a last-minute penalty, having been totally outplayed by the German champions.
But for that fortuitously awarded spot-kick, City would be on zero points from three games, which sums up how little they have learned since last season's debut Champions League campaign.
"It's hard to put your finger on why it isn't working, other than to say the opposition is a great standard," said Lescott.
"Three wins from the last three is the only option now.
"It's going to be hard but two of those are at home and maybe that will give us chance to impose ourselves on the opposition.
"We still believe we have the players to do well in this competition. On paper our squad looks great but paper doesn't win games, does it?
"We need to pull it together and do it out there."
City have been poor defensively this season, with Lescott admitting the criticism they have come in for is justified.
The England international and skipper Vincent Kompany formed a formidable defensive partnership last season as City snatched the title in dramatic style.
But Mancini's willingness to break up that pairing, with the arrival of Nastasic, along with his desire to play with three centre-backs at times, has seen City lose their defensive solidity.
"Last season we were good, not conceding many goals," said Lescott. "We got a lot of plaudits, so it's only fair that we get criticism now because we are conceding more goals.
"It's been a slow-ish start to the season but we're in the top three of the Premier League and still in with a chance of qualifying for the next stage of this."
However, the cold reailty for City is that their humiliating 3-1 defeat away to Ajax has left them bottom of Group D with just one point from three games.
Ajax, who had seven academy graduates involved, have left City needing to win their remaining three group games - and even that might not be enough for them to reach the knokcout stage.
City's players fear their Champions League woes may have a negative impact on their domestic form and wreck their title defence.
But Lescott, who was at fault for Ajax's second goal, said City could not afford to let their European problems spill over in the Premier League.
"There's still a chance," he said. "Until it's mathematically impossible, we have to still believe we can do it.
"As a team we're not overly-enthusiastic about the way things are going.
"But we can't let it affect our league form. We haven't done so far and we won't do on Saturday.
"Swansea will be a very different game. We're at home so we'll look to dictate that game and create some more chances."
While City remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season, the club's Abu Dhabi owners had set Mancini a minimum target of reaching the knockout stage in the Champions League, with the expectation of advancing further
Despite publicly playing down their Champions League hopes, those in power at City had privately hoped to make a big impression on the competition this season, given the huge investment in the squad over the past four years.
While Mancini is said to still be smarting over City's failure to land his top transfer targets in the summer, Robin van Persie and Eden Hazard among them, he is unlikely to garner any sympathy from his employers, who still allowed him to spend £50million.
Javi Garcia, Maicon, Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and Matija Nastasic were all recruited late on in the transfer window, and Mancini feels City's failure to do their transfer business early in the summer has been reflected in their poor European performance.
City closing in on deal with former Barcelona director Begiristain as Chelsea and Spurs lurk
Manchester City are close to persuading former Barcelona director of football Txiki Begiristain to join the club.
In a move which will spell re-organisation behind the scenes at Eastlands, the 48-year-old is ready to team up with his friend, City chief executive and former Barca vice-president, Ferran Soriano despite been courted by Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea.
He will take up a technical director role which will give him responsibility for recruitment and will also look to bring in former Johan Cruyff adviser Joan Patsy.
Begiristain is also a close ally of Pep Guardiola and, following City’s performance against Ajax in the Champions League, the appointment will only further speculation that under-fire coach Roberto Mancini will be replaced by the wily Spaniard.
However, Guardiola is determined to see out his year’s sabbatical despite the likes of Chelsea, AC Milan and Bayern Munich also all maintaining an interest in his next move.
Begiristain, who was an attacking midfielder for John Toshack’s Real Sociedad and Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’ of the early 1990s, spent seven years as director of football at Barcelona before leaving in 2010.
He was responsible for bringing in the like of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Dani Alves while maintaining the development of La Masia programme which spawned talent such as Lionel Messi.
His arrival would also change responsibilities for football administrator Brian Marwood who has clashed with Mancini over player recruitment.
Tottenham were very keen for Begiristain to join and he was interested in a move to London but a move to City will underline his belief that they are building the right project to dominate European football.
Celtic chief scout John Park is among other contenders for the role at Tottenham.
West Ham could offer Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, 33, a return to London when his contract at Old Trafford ends next summer. Daily Mirror
West Ham are also interested in signing Lokomotiva striker Andrej Kramaric, 21, who has scored eight goals in just 12 league starts while on loan from fellow Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. talkSHIT
Wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are planning a big-money move for Manchester United's 27-year-old striker Wayne Rooney. Anzhi team director Roberto Carlos said: "Why not? He's one of the best players in the world and any team would be happy to have him in their squad." Sun
Liverpool sent scouts to watch Celtic forward Gary Hooper, 24, play against Barcelona on Tuesday night, as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his strike force in January. DSSC
Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama has rejected the offer of a contract extension and that will encourage the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United to step in with a January offer for the Kenya international for whom £8m summer bid from QPR was rejected. Daily Telegraph
Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke jumped to the defence of his Arsenal regime following a stormy Annual General Meeting. He said: "I am ambitious for the club. We have an exciting future and our goal is to win trophies." Daily Telegraph
Blackburn assistant manager Eric Black says Harry Redknapp would be a "sensational" appointment at Ewood Park. The former Tottenham boss is rumoured to be interested in the role. Daily Star
Former Arsenal star Stewart Robson believes the Gunners' defensive problems could be down to a "rift" between manager Arsene Wenger and his assistant Steve Bould. talkSHIT
Ashley Cole is eager to defuse tensions with the Ferdinand family by shaking hands with Rio when Chelsea play Manchester United on Sunday. DSSC
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has revealed he felt "really uncomfortable" when the Villa fans chanted his name while he was still the manager of Norwich. Birmingham Mail
BBC football pundit and former England captain Alan Shearer is among the front-runners to become the new manager of Ipswich after being interviewed for the post on Thursday. Daily Telegraph
Former Scotland and Hearts manager George Burley is hoping for a return to former club Ipswich Town after the Championship strugglers sacked Paul Jewell. Daily Record
West Brom are targeting Cardiff City's head of player recruitment Iain Moody as a successor to sporting director Dan Ashworth. The Times
Rangers chief executive Charles Green has ditched plans to make a quick exit from Ibrox and vowed to stay at the Glasgow club until they have risen from Division Three to the Champions League. Daily Record
Rangers are angry that the Scottish Football Association sent a £200,000 sell-on fee for former Ibrox midfielder Charlie Adam's move from Liverpool to Stoke City to the administrators of the old club instead of the new one. Daily Record
Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson says Rangers will almost certainly not be fast-tracked into the Scottish Premier League because there is no way 11 out of the 12 clubs will agree on a form of league reconstruction. Daily Record
Dunfermline Athletic are facing turmoil after the resignation of seven directors, including club legend Jim Leishman, over attempts to buy the club from major shareholder Gavin Masterton, sparking fears among fans over the future of the club. The Herald
Scotland captain Gemma Fay, whose side missed out on the Euro 2013 finals after a last-second play-off defeat by Spain, says the Scottish Football Association needs to offer professional contracts if it wants their near all-amateur squad to continue to outperform professional squads at international level. The Herald
Australian football fans are being given the chance to see "what makes Emile Heskey so good" as Fox Sports launch Heskeycam. The Independent
Dumbarton have been inundated with application for their managerial vacancy, but chief executive Gilbert Lawrie says 75% of them come from computer football management game geeks. Daily Record
MORE BOLLOX LATER ...
