London, Dec 13 (DPA) Manchester City were pondering their next move Monday morning after their Argentine forward Carlos Tevez insisted he would leave the club.
The 26-year-old, who has been one of City’s best players this season, handed in a transfer request, saying that relations with ‘certain executives’ at the club have ‘broken down beyond repair’.
The big-spending club has rejected the request, saying that he should fulfil his contract, which still has three-and-a-half years to run.
But Tevez, who is reportedly determined to return to Argentina to be closer to his family, said he had no problem with manager Roberto Mancini but that he has to leave.
‘It is something I have felt for some time and have spent many hours thinking this through,’ he said in a statement.
‘I hugely resent suggestions that I have been unduly influenced by others. I wanted to leave in the summer, but was convinced to return.
‘Sadly, my feelings have not changed,’ Tevez said.
‘I am disappointed that the management should now see fit to try to portray the situation in another light.
‘My relationship with certain executives and individuals at the club has broken down and is now beyond repair. I do not wish to expand on this at this stage. They know, because I have told them,’ Tevez added.
In a separate statement, City said they were disappointed by Tevez’s actions and that the transfer request had immediately been rejected.
‘This is both an unfortunate and unwelcome distraction, and the club will remain focused on the games ahead in what is turning out to be a very promising season,’ the club said.
