Outspoken agent Aidy Ward claims that Raheem Sterling’s departure from Liverpool over the summer was mostly down to former manager Brendan Rodgers, the Daily Star reports.
The 20-year-old forward left Anfield during the transfer window to join Premier League title contenders Manchester City in a deal worth £49m (via the Star).
Ward became infamous last season when he revealed that the England international would not be signing a new deal with The Reds, even if he was offered £900,000-per-week (via Evening Standard) and many Reds fans painted him as a money grabbing agent (via Star).
However, the 34-year-old has denied that money was his motivation, and that he ushered his client out of the door because he wasn’t keen on how Rodgers was treating the young winger.
“I became the bad guy, that’s how I was portrayed,’ he told the Daily Mail.
“It started from the PR behind Liverpool. There is no issue with the fans there, they don’t know the full story, and there are lots of good people at Liverpool.
“I had no problem with (chief executive) Ian Ayre for example.”
But Ward did admit that he had a problem with Rodgers.
“I have no issue with anyone but Rodgers. He had a massive job with massive funds. How did he do? Good coach, but as a manager I didn’t like certain things about how he dealt with Raheem.
“Fifty per cent of the players would probably tell you Brendan is not a good manager, but he is a good coach.”
Sterling has since gone on to enjoy a strong start with City, bagging five goals in nine appearances across all competitions.
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