Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has laid into Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli…
Roberto Mancini has not pulled any punches in his recent assessment of Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, tearing the Anfield star apart, declaring him ‘the greatest ever Italian footballer to self-destruct’.
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According to reports in The Sun, Mancini has been far from convinced by his former Manchester City star so far this season, with the Reds forward having netted just twice in all competitions – and not at all in the Premier League.
Mancini said of the £16m Liverpool flop: “I hope that Mario will wake up one morning and realise he is throwing everything away. He could become the greatest ever Italian footballer to self-destruct.
“Whoever is his manager deserves to be paid double, a ‘Balotelli bonus’. Ever since Mario left Manchester his game has fallen away in every respect. I was convinced that he would be a success with AC Milan but that wasn’t the case.
Mancini, now coach at Inter Milan, added: “He was a young lad when he was with me at Inter. He did everything, even cleaning out the dressing rooms. He then behaved himself well for 2½ years at City.
“But working with Mario is not easy. You tell him things in one ear and they go out the other one. I wish him all the best. He is a good lad, and I believe he is giving his all at Liverpool. But it is entirely down to him.”
The Italian also criticised former Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, saying: “Alex was difficult to please. His office at United was full of the best French wines.
“One day I ordered a bottle from Italy for him that cost me £400. But it was money well spent — I gave it to him on the day we won the Manchester derby 6-1.”
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