England

Maradona supports Carlos Tevez in dispute with 'spoilt brat' Mancini

The football legend slammed Manchester City's Italian manager for his handling of his compatriot, as well as stating that he felt like an exile in his native Argentina

10-Feb-2012 9:27:00 PM

By Daniel Edwards

More On : Al Wasl, Boca Juniors, Manchester City, Roberto Mancini, Diego Armando Maradona, Carlos Tevez

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Argentina legend Diego Maradona has left no doubt where his loyalties lie in the ongoing conflict between Carlos Tevez and Roberto Mancini, as he called the Manchester City manager a spoilt brat in a frank radio interview.

The close relationship between Maradona and 'Carlitos' has never been in doubt, and the Al Wasl trainer has spoken out in the forward's defence several times since tensions between player and club escalated in the second half of 2011. Tevez remains in Argentina and has not appeared for City since September.

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Speaking on Thursday to La Red, however, the ever-outspoken personality blamed the fallout on Mancini's personality.

"I know Mancini well, too well. That is why I believe 'Carlitos' in all of this. [Roberto] was a spoilt brat in Sampdoria and Inter, and he still is with City. Every person has their methods as a coach, but you still need to have some tact," the 51-year-old fired.

Continuing the chat, Diego expressed his belief that he had been frozen out of the football scene in his native land, but assured in his own inimitable way that he still felt 100 per cent Argentine.

"Every single door has been slammed in my face back in Argentina, it's unbelievable," he asserted.

"I am an exiled Argentine but I want everyone to know that I am still Argentine all the way down to my underpants!"

Maradona coached the Argentina national team between 2008-10, but left following the South Africa World Cup due to a dispute with bosses over the composition of his technical staff.