Jerome Boateng insists he has no regrets about leaving Manchester City
Former Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng has no regrets about leaving the club in the summer.
Boateng spent just a season with City before returning to his native Germany with Bayern Munich in a £12.8million deal.
Since then City have gone on to sweep almost all before them in the Premier League this season.
Although this year's Champions League campaign has been a difficult experience, City have ambitions to succeed in similar fashion in European competition but Boateng does not rue a missed opportunity.
The 23-year-old, who returns to the Etihad Stadium with Bayern tomorrow, said: "Obviously I'm very happy at Bayern.
"I wouldn't say I regret anything about last season at City. I made a lot of friends and it was a good experience for me."
Boateng was thought to be frustrated at being deployed at full-back by City boss Roberto Mancini but the German insists that was not the only reason he left.
"There were other reasons too," he said. "Obviously I've played at full-back at Bayern too but centre-back is my favourite position.
"I've been asked this question a thousand times but I'm happy at the club, and it really doesn't bother me if I'm played at full-back or centre-back."
City must win and hope Villarreal can secure at least a draw against Napoli to reach the last 16.
Boateng questioned the togetherness of the City squad ahead of the sides' last meeting in September, but feels the club is making good progress under Mancini.
"I wouldn't say they are much different (to last season) but obviously a couple of quality players have been brought in," he said.
"Last season they won the FA Cup and this season they are in the running for the title, although they are not doing so well in the Champions League.
"I think their coach is doing a very good job and the fans will be satisfied with that."
Bayern have travelled to Manchester without former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben and midfielder Toni Kroos, who are both suffering from flu.
Forwards Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez have also been ill but coach Jupp Heynckes is hopeful both will be fit to play.
In-form City right-back Micah Richards is doubtful due to a slight calf problem but Pablo Zabaleta could take his place after recovering from a knock sustained in last week's Carling Cup win at Arsenal.
Gael Clichy is likely to continue at left-back with Aleksandar Kolarov out for around three weeks with a groin problem.
MANCHESTER CITY have stepped up their pursuit of whizkid Mateo Kovacic, dubbed the 'Croatian Lionel Messi'.
City chiefs held a meeting yesterday with Kovacic's representative with a view to signing the Dinamo Zagreb midfielder.
Kovacic, 17, is one of the hottest prospects in world football and has been linked to Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.
The rising star broke into the Dinamo first team in 2010 and already has two caps for the Croatia Under-21s.
AC Milan will offer to pay all of Carlos Tevez's £200,000-a-week wages to take the striker on loan from Manchester City in January.
Daily Mirror
Mario Balotelli throws a strop after Manchester City Christmas cake fail
Mario Balotelli may be in sweet form on the field, but it seems his Christmas cake making skills could do with some polishing after he was defeated by marzipan icing and a little plastic Santa.
The Italian cult hero failed to rise to the occasion when City put on a cake class for their players - firstly botching his attempt to craft a star out of marzipan (using a stencil!), then manhandling a poor Father Christmas toy.
However, some of his City team-mates proved a more natural fit in the pastry department, as Nigel de Jong and Owen Hargreaves seemed to have no problems with the whole procedure.
New signing Sergio Aguero wasn’t seen crafting his own festive treats, but he did find time to pass judgement of his fellow Argentine Pablo Zabaleta’s effort.
‘Very bad,’ chirped the £35 million forward, who was sporting a dashing City-coloured Santa hat.
[youtube]5xFNVaqkEdI[/youtube]
Skip to the 2:20 mark to see the culinary scenes unfold.
OTHER BOLLOX
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Former England captain David Beckham has ruled out a career in management after admitting that he did not enjoy his time as an assistant to England manager Fabio Capello at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Evening Standard
Sunderland defender Wes Brown has backed new boss Martin O'Neill to bring back a "feel-good factor" to the Stadium of Light. Sunderland Echo
Wolves captain Roger Johnson will benefit from being dropped, manager Mick McCarthy insists. Express & Star
West Brom defender Steven Reid has no plans to return to international football despite the Republic of Ireland's qualification for Euro 2012. Birmingham Mail
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has said he is looking forward to seeing the 'new' Callum McManaman when the England Under-20s striker returns from his loan spell at Championship side Blackpool in January. Wigan Evening Post
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