Oh Dear.
Edin Dzeko has confessed that he was part of the dressing-room revolt that saw Roberto Mancini sacked as manager of Manchester City.
The Bosnian striker admitted that he spoke to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak on several occasions to voice his displeasure about how Mancini was running the club.
Mancini was axed less than 48 hours after City suffered a shock FA Cup defeat to Wigan - exactly a year to the day since he had guided the club to their first title in 44 years.
The hardline Italian was replaced by the more approachable Manuel Pellegrini.
And Dzeko revealed: “When the new coach arrived, the chairman asked me, informally, whether I was now happy.
“The question arose because I had complained to him a few times about the former coach and my situation at the club.
“There was only one major issue with Mancini and that was because of my dissatisfaction with my role as a player.
“When I spoke to the chairman it did not happen in front of the whole team.
“He was aware that I didn’t feel happy about what had happened to me over the last two years.
“This was only because I did not spend enough time on the field.”
Sunday Mirror Sport revealed when Mancini was sacked that City executives were worried that star players like Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart and David Silva would quit unless there was a change of manager.
And Dzeko, who joined City in a £27million deal from Wolfsburg in January 2011, also seemed certain to leave the club before Mancini’s departure.
Down and out: Mancini was given the boot after City's FA Cup final loss to Wigan
Mike Hewitt
He admits he found it hard to understand why he was never given an extended run in the team and how he was shocked to be dropped after scoring four goals in a 5-1 win at Tottenham in August 2011.
Dzeko added: “At times, I believe that the coach failed to appreciate me as much as I thought I deserved, especially as there were many matches when I knew I had played very well.
“There was one game when I scored four goals and yet still I was left sitting on the bench for the next game. Surely that couldn’t be right.
“I can’t say why Mancini did it. We discussed it many times, but our opinions seemed to always differ.
“I was in a very difficult position. In a way, I didn’t want to complain because he (Mancini) took me to England and gave me the opportunity to play in the best league in the world.”
Ironically, after being assure by Pellegrini that he would be his first-choice striker, the 27-year-old has now fallen behind Sergio Aguero and new £18million signing Alvaro Negredo in the Chilean’s plans.
City’s interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski means City could offer Dzeko the chance to return to Germany in January in a swap deal.
But, in an interview on Bosnian TV, Dzeko said: “Pellegrini is good. Personally I am happy with him and, more importantly, all my team-mates are happy as well.
“He has introduced something new to the team, both in terms of the game we play and our off-the-field activities as well.
“He has restored our confidence and I am sure the next few seasons will be better than the last one.”
He added: “Every player wants to be in the starting 11 every week.
“Pellegrini brought Negredo with him from Spain, which implies that he must give him a chance to show his potential.
“There will be many matches ahead for us to fight for a position at the club.
“I don’t feel threatened by Negredo. It just raises the bat in terms of competition and it’s up to me to fight - and I will do so.
“I have never given up anything in my life so I certainly won’t be giving up now.”
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