With Wednesday night’s Manchester derby only days away, the last thing I wish to do is become embroiled in the vehemently denied but very obvious problems which exist at Eastlands. Despite that hesitancy however, a reported quote by Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini in the Italian newspaper Il Secolo XIX cannot help but force one to sit up and take notice.
A clearly frustrated Mancini complained that “The tabloids rage against us because City are headed by an Italian. I’m sorry to say but the English are nationalists in football.” That statement cannot possibly mean anything else than that in his small mind, it all comes down to racism! That word ‘nationalists’ cannot possibly mean anything else. The man is sadly digging his own grave, not only in Manchester but in the whole of England. Sorry signor Mancini, you simply cannot blame your own failings on an imagined national racist mentality and get away with it.
Reports have been circulating for weeks that the former Inter coach is close to the sack after several alleged bust ups with members of his expensively assembled squad. The rumours reached new heights after City’s defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend and the Europa League defeat at Lech Poznan in Poland on Thursday night.
City is still sitting fourth in the Premier League and Mancini is convinced that he deserves far more respect saying that “City are fourth in the standings and were in second place. The club has asked me to qualify for next season’s Champions League and we are going well for that.” He then asked “Why should I worry about being fired? This does not exist. The team are against me? Lies, all rubbish. There were hard discussions with some players, but the team follows me and the results are arriving.”
Do those words sound like the ones of a man who’s standing in the shadows of the gallows despite his defiance? It’s almost impossible to imagine anything else but the hangman’s noose will still be a few days away irrespective of his team’s result at West Brom on Sunday.
The execution will only take place if City suffer another defeat at the hands of Manchester United next Wednesday night. Unless Mancini can avoid what would be a disaster for him, and irrespective of the validity of his ‘English nationalists’ accusations, he will no longer have a future in the ‘racist’ Premier League.
Has the Premier League been racist toward Mancini?
He is spot on about the british media and the same is true of their treatment of british versus foreign players too.
Not to Mancini alone but to everyone else who is not of native British decent.Look at the way the press is showering praise on Bale though deservingly i would be suprised if he could get the same treatment if he was Hounduran or even French.
For a long time in the premiership there has been on going debates on who is the finest striker in the league and unanimously the British press has unanimously gone for Rooney,ok he is one lethal striker but lose yourself and imagine Drogba as white blue eyed from sussex what would the press say??
There are so many examples but al the same its not a bad thing to be ‘nationalistic’.
exactly as moor says, what has Bale done that Malouda, or Nani hasn’t? Bale got cornered by Rafael, carrick and fletcher then wes brown, as well as Phil Neville, and his evertonian team-mates. At least nani and malouda have a few tricks up their sleeve, other than punting the ball 20 metres past the fullback and conducting a sprint race.
as for the rampant nationalism, of course it exsists, its everywhere, because no one likes to see “foreigners” succeed to the detriment of fellow countrymen. whether it be in sport, “the city” or in everyday jobs, every country is protective of what they consider to be the fundamental values of nationality.
Yet another uneducated wannabe journalist United fan, go educate yourself before making such childishly pathetic mistakes.
‘Racism’ taken rom the word ‘Race’ meaning a race or races with distinctive characteristics.
Being Italian or any other Nationality and attacking a different nationality does not make you racist.
You would think people would have some level of intelligence before trying to play journalist.
You are getting confused its xenophobia
The point he is making is because he replaced a “young British manager” who became the darling of the press when he was sacked, and because he is Italian he is not getting a fair hearing I tend to agree with him although it more about the envy and jealous agains the club
guess the first couple of responses were not quite what ‘the author’ was looking for ? see you weds. I assume you have sky.
Thank you Shnu.Its a long held dream that British media will one day become fair and not overly sensational but as for now it remains just but a dream.
Its amazing that even Arsenal football club and Wenger all over sudden became darlings of the media after falling from being the force they used to be.No one cares as long as they are not winnig anything.
The tactical prowess and nouse shown by Acelotti goes unmentioned anywhwere save for Chelsea blogs.If a certain McClaren could manage a quarter of such a fete.
Who else could be allowed to stay as Liverpool manager knowing that the former goliath of Enlish football are lying comfortably on wrong end of the table,Paul Ince? thats not a very appropriate example ok Martin Jol.
You’re absolutely correct CiTyBlUe, xenophobia is the correct description just as ManCunian said but please remember, how do you even begin to explain that to the average yob? Sadly, the word racist is understood by everyone
I’m old enough to remember when United fans didn’t need to spend most of their lives talking about City.
My friend in wrong half of manchester whatever Mancini was trying to say he simply camouflaged it with use of word ‘nationalists’.We all know what he meant.
Didn’t realise the Italians and the English were distinct ‘races’.
There is in Mancini’s mind Walter