Balotelli: My relationship with Rodgers was a disaster

Italian striker, Mario Balotelli during the summer left Liverpool on a free transfer to Nice in France after a loan spell at AC Milan and has scored six goals already, helping the southern club to the top of French Ligue 1.


Although the striker was overlooked by the Italian national team selectors in the Europeans series of Russia 2018 qualifiers, he returned to Milan on Tuesday to watch Italy face Germany.

The striker known for his arrogance both on and off the pitch, has played for Inter Milan, Manchester City, Milan and Liverpool by the age of 26.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport about his coaches, and described his relationship with former manager at Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers as a disaster.

He said, “In truth, I had the biggest disappointment with Rodgers. I enjoyed myself with him in training but our relationship was a disaster.

“For me, the one most on the ball remains Mancini: fantastic, I owe him so much.

“In second place I put (Lucien) Favre (of Nice) with (Jose) Mourinho: the Portuguese is talented and motivated, it is a pity that we had a falling out.

“The worst? Not Klopp, I am not angry with him. If he has created a certain situation at Liverpool, maybe he should have had more patience with me.

The 26-year-old was signed by Liverpool after the sale of Luis Suarez in 2014, but managed only one League goal for Rodgers before loaned out to Milan the following summer.

Balotelli, who said he will always be available for Italy, is enjoying his time on the Cote d’Azur, with Nice currently topping Ligue 1.

“Now I am calm.
“There is less pressure, clearly. Some autographs, nothing more,” he added.