16 Feb 2012

Mancini hits back at Tevez

1:14 pm on 16 February 2012

The Manchester City football manager Roberto Mancini has rejected Carlos Tevez's accusation he had treated him "like a dog" and says he has, if anything, been too nice to the rebel striker.

Tevez returned from Argentina Wednesday having spent three months in his homeland without his club's permission and has not played for City since refusing to warm up in September's Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.

Before heading back to Manchester, Tevez laid into his manager for the way he had handled events in Germany.

Mancini says he totally disagrees with him because he's never treated him badly.

The Argentine striker is not with the team in Portugal for their Europa League match against Porto but has spoken of his desire to play a part in Premier League leaders City's pursuit of a first league title since 1968.