YAYA TOURE’S AGENT has called Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini a “weak manager” and claimed his client is being unfairly blamed for the reigning Premier League champions’ disastrous run of form.
City have now dropped down to fourth, with three losses in their last four games, and Toure has been heavily criticised for his abject performances during this period. Even City manager Pellegrini has admitted he has been unhappy with Toure.
“I don’t think he’s happy with his performance this year – and nor am I. But we must support him and return him to his normal performance,” said Pellegrini. “He doesn’t need a break. For a lot of reasons he’s not the same player he was last season but he continues being a very important player for our team”.
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PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
But agent Dimitri Seluk has criticised the club’s chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain, accusing them of trying to make Toure a scapegoat for bigger problems behind the scenes.
“Some people at City are trying to blame Yaya for what has happened this season. But those people aren’t taking responsibility for their own mistakes.”
“I am talking about executives who have bought players for a lot of money — and then put those players on the bench. Executives who spend a lot of money on Stevan Jovetic and then drop him from the Champions League squad.
City go into this afternoon’s match against West Ham four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool and with the pressure firmly on Pellegrini.
“I feel sorry for Pellegrini. He’s a good coach, but a weak manager. He won the title with the team left behind by [predecessor] Roberto Mancini,” Seluk said.
This is not the first time Toure’s relationship with the club has come under strain. The famous birthday cake incident last summer led to weeks of speculation over the Ivorian’s future. But his agent believes if he did leave City this summer, there would be no shortage of options for the big midfielder.
“Two of the biggest clubs have already asked me if he is available and I know that, if City said they will sell, then another 10 would call me inside 24 hours.
“And if City are worried about money then they can keep their money in their wallet because I know that other teams will pay Yaya what he earns now.”
Yaya Toure's agent slams "weak" Manuel Pellegrini
YAYA TOURE’S AGENT has called Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini a “weak manager” and claimed his client is being unfairly blamed for the reigning Premier League champions’ disastrous run of form.
City have now dropped down to fourth, with three losses in their last four games, and Toure has been heavily criticised for his abject performances during this period. Even City manager Pellegrini has admitted he has been unhappy with Toure.
“I don’t think he’s happy with his performance this year – and nor am I. But we must support him and return him to his normal performance,” said Pellegrini. “He doesn’t need a break. For a lot of reasons he’s not the same player he was last season but he continues being a very important player for our team”.
But agent Dimitri Seluk has criticised the club’s chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain, accusing them of trying to make Toure a scapegoat for bigger problems behind the scenes.
“Some people at City are trying to blame Yaya for what has happened this season. But those people aren’t taking responsibility for their own mistakes.”
“I am talking about executives who have bought players for a lot of money — and then put those players on the bench. Executives who spend a lot of money on Stevan Jovetic and then drop him from the Champions League squad.
City go into this afternoon’s match against West Ham four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool and with the pressure firmly on Pellegrini.
“I feel sorry for Pellegrini. He’s a good coach, but a weak manager. He won the title with the team left behind by [predecessor] Roberto Mancini,” Seluk said.
This is not the first time Toure’s relationship with the club has come under strain. The famous birthday cake incident last summer led to weeks of speculation over the Ivorian’s future. But his agent believes if he did leave City this summer, there would be no shortage of options for the big midfielder.
“Two of the biggest clubs have already asked me if he is available and I know that, if City said they will sell, then another 10 would call me inside 24 hours.
“And if City are worried about money then they can keep their money in their wallet because I know that other teams will pay Yaya what he earns now.”
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Dimitri Seluk Football Agents Manchester City Manuel Pellegrini scapegoat Soccer Yaya Toure