Mancini details training bust-up that led to Balotelli's City exit

Roberto Mancini has divulged information on the incident that paved the way for Mario Balotelli's acrimonious departure from Manchester City in January 2013.

The Italian striker linked up with his compatriot at the Etihad Stadium in 2010, and despite contributing notable moments during his time at the club - including the assist on Sergio Aguero's title-winning strike in 2012 - his stint was marred by several disciplinary issues.

And it was one of these mischievous moments that saw him sold to AC Milan.

"In a training session, I said to players not to make stupid tackles on Gael (Clichy) because he was just coming back from injury. And then, Mario made a strong tackle on him. I was furious," revealed Mancini, who oversaw City between 2009 and 2013.

"I grabbed him by the collar wanting to push him but he is so strong physically I couldn't move him. From seeing the pictures, you would think that we came to blows but nothing happened."

Just a few months earlier, Balotelli was at the top of his game. After helping City to its first league title in 44 years, the charismatic-yet-controversial forward inspired Italy to the Euro 2012 final. But, after the training-ground bust-up, his form gradually faltered through spells with AC Milan, Liverpool, and then back with the Rossoneri.

"He came into conflict with some teammates because of his behaviour, and he wanted to return to Italy," Mancini continued. "I was disappointed that he wanted to leave because he should have done so much more in an extraordinary championship."

Now in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, Balotelli looks reinvigorated. Despite lacking fitness and match sharpness, he's bagged five goals in three outings to help the Alpe-Maritimes outfit to the summit of French football. Maybe the troubled boy has become a man - just as Mancini thought when he displayed his infamous "Why Always Me?" T-shirt when scoring against Manchester United.

"When he showed his T-shirt, I really said to myself that he is a phenomenon. Who could have thought of doing that? He's a phenomenon in the way things come into his head."

Instead, the 26-year-old hasn't reached the dizzy heights he once seemed capable of, and the fact that he's not Italy's starting striker (or even in the squad) is "his fault," according to his former manager.

Balotelli will look to garner Azzurri boss Giampiero Ventura's attentions further when he's expected to line up for Nice's visit from Olympique Lyonnais on Friday.