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Manchester City's Roberto Mancini apologizes to players and supporters following Champions League exit
The Italian believes his side was unfortunate to be placed in a 'difficult' group but insisted it must improve if it enters the competition again next season
Dec 7, 2011 6:32:00 PM
By Omar Shahid
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has apologized to the club's players and supporters after his side crashed out of the Champions League.
City beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at Eastlands on Wednesday night but it was not enough as a Napoli win against Villarreal saw the Italian side through at the expense of Mancini’s men.
He told Sky Sports: "We need to improve as a team. Our group was difficult. Congratulations to Napoli for getting through.
"We are a good team always. We are a fantastic team. I am very sorry for our supporters and I’m sorry for my players because players like that should be playing in the Champions League.
City must now settle for competing in the Europa League but its Italian coach believes his side has a chance of winning that trophy.
He continued: "We are going in the Europa League, it’s another trophy, an important trophy. We are disappointed but we want to do better next year.
"I think maybe now we think Europa League is not important but if we arrive in the final we will think it’s very important.
"I think we are now on top of the Premier League but this season will be very hard and we want to improve from last year. We want to improve in the Champions League."
The 47-year-old also shed further light on the situation regarding wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
He insisted the club is reluctant to sanction a loan move, preferring a permanent transfer, despite reported interest from AC Milan.
"I don't know that situation at the moment but we want to sell Tevez, for sure," he said.
"It's difficult for us to loan him so for this reason nothing is sure. The only sure thing is that we will not let Tevez go on loan."
City beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at Eastlands on Wednesday night but it was not enough as a Napoli win against Villarreal saw the Italian side through at the expense of Mancini’s men.
He told Sky Sports: "We need to improve as a team. Our group was difficult. Congratulations to Napoli for getting through.
"We are a good team always. We are a fantastic team. I am very sorry for our supporters and I’m sorry for my players because players like that should be playing in the Champions League.
City must now settle for competing in the Europa League but its Italian coach believes his side has a chance of winning that trophy.
He continued: "We are going in the Europa League, it’s another trophy, an important trophy. We are disappointed but we want to do better next year.
"I think maybe now we think Europa League is not important but if we arrive in the final we will think it’s very important.
"I think we are now on top of the Premier League but this season will be very hard and we want to improve from last year. We want to improve in the Champions League."
The 47-year-old also shed further light on the situation regarding wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
He insisted the club is reluctant to sanction a loan move, preferring a permanent transfer, despite reported interest from AC Milan.
"I don't know that situation at the moment but we want to sell Tevez, for sure," he said.
"It's difficult for us to loan him so for this reason nothing is sure. The only sure thing is that we will not let Tevez go on loan."
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