Mancini admits he has soft spot for Balotelli

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli’s future is once again the subject of speculation following continued concerns about his lifestyle.And after he was left out of Tuesday’s Champions League defeat at Real Madrid there have been further suggestions of a fall-out with his manager. Mancini dismissed those rumours on Friday, insisting that his patience for the Italian international was ‘endless’ - adding that he can even live with the player’s smoking habit if he performs on the pitch. But Mancini also warned the 22-year-old that he will have to accept a rotation policy that appears to leave him behind Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero in City’s pecking order. Balotelli might have expected to push for a regular starting place for the Premier League champions this season after starring for his country at Euro 2012.But with competition from Tevez, Aguero and Edin Dzeko, he is likely to find himself on the bench at times this term - or out of the squad entirely, as was the case at the Bernabeu.

Mancini said: “The European Championships are different. You have five games in 20 days.

“Here it is a tactical situation and one important player like Mario or James Milner can go in the stands. When we have all the players, it is difficult for me.

“It is difficult for every player, but we wanted to have this team. We improved this team.

“He was upset, this is normal for a player who can’t play in the Bernabeu.

“It was only a tactical choice, because I only needed two strikers on the bench. Three is too many.

“We have four top players and usually we played with two and two on the bench, but also we have players who can play as a second striker like Yaya Toure or Samir Nasri or David Silva.

“Yes it is difficult to keep Mario happy. But he went in the stand in Madrid and maybe he can play on Sunday.

“I don’t want it to be that every time Mario doesn’t play, it is because he did something wrong.”Mancini has clearly grown tired of the constant speculation about his relationship with the striker he nurtured as a prodigious talent at Inter Milan.

Balotelli’s high-profile indiscretions have tested his manager’s patience to the limit - earning two red cards last season and another ban for a stamp on Tottenham’s Scott Parker.

But it was his red against Arsenal, a game in which he also committed a knee-high challenge on Alex Song, that looked like spelling the end of his City career.

At the time Mancini appeared to be ready to wash his hands of the £24m hitman, saying: “He needs to change his behaviour if he wants to continue to play.

“I saw in my life a lot of players like Mario that are fantastic, arrogant guys. But, after, they lose all their talent like this and they finish in two or three years. Mario is this way.”

Balotelli has openly lampooned his image as a wild child, famously revealing a T-shirt that read: ‘Why always me?’ during City’s 6-1 win against United last season.

It was suggested that he was left out of the 3-2 defeat to Real this week after he was photographed on a night out with Amir Khan.

He has also been pictured smoking, which is hardly ideal behaviour for a top-class sportsman.

But while Mancini does not condone his habit, he insists it is the player’s performances on the pitch that are his main concern. And he chose to dismiss any talk of problems between the two leading to the decision to drop Balotelli.

“It is totally false,” he said. “It is not true. Mario went to the stand only because we decided to play with only Tevez.

“Mario is a player like other players, when he is on the bench sometimes they don’t understand.”

He added: “My patience for him is endless. It is not my problem if he smokes. I don’t smoke, I don’t like to smoke.

“If he wants to smoke, it is his problem. If he wants my opinion – it is better if he finishes.

“But if he smokes 10 cigarettes every day and scores two goals every game, it is okay.”

Manchester City reject £40M Balotelli Bid

Manchester City have been forced to reject a £40m bid for Mario Balotelli from PSG after Roberto Mancini threatened to quit.The Italian striker is apparently one of PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti's top transfer targets and is keen to land him, despite having already signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi this summer.
The big spending Parisians reportedly lodged a huge bid for the 21-year-old but Mancini forced the City board to reject it by threatening to quit if his compatriot was sold.Mancini is desperate to keep Balotelli at the Etihad Stadium despite having had a number of public fallouts with the temperamental forward during his two years at City.Nonetheless, Mancini believes Balotelli's form at Euro 2012 showed the kind of player he can be and has revealed there are plenty of clubs willing to take a gamble on the former Inter Milan youngster.He said: "Mario did a fantastic European Championship. He's 21, it is clear that he can improve.
'This summer we had a lot of requests for him."Mancini is thought to have told the City board to forget about selling Balotelli and instead try to get rid of Emmanuel Adebayor after he turned down the chance to join Tottenham.

Manchester City closing in on Daniele De Rossi

Manchester City are reported to be closing in a deal for Roma playmaker Daniele De Rossi in a move that will appease Roberto Mancini.The City boss has wanted to sign the Italian international since last summer but the club's money men are believed to have refused to stump up the cash to make the switch happen.
De Rossi then appeared to be completely off the radar in February when he signed a new contract to keep him with the Serie A side until at least 2017.However, Mancini has now reportedly got his way after complaining about a lack of transfer activity this summer from the reigning Premier League champions in comparison to many of their top rivals.He has been on at football director Brian Marwood to support him in his bid for the 28-year-old, and a deal worth just under £24m for De Rossi is said to be imminent.
The Roma vice-captain has won 78 caps for his country and played a key role for Italy as they reach the final of Euro 2012, which they lost 4-0 to Spain.Mancini has never made a secret of his admiration for the player, saying back in January: "De Rossi is a champion and would be the perfect man to improve City."

Balotelli Fined By Manchester City

Manchester City have fined striker Mario Balotelli one week's wages for breaking a club curfew. Less than 48 hours before their clash with Bolton last week, Balotelli was pictured leaving a strip club.Balotelli played and scored in the 2-0 win over Bolton, but afterwards Mancini said he would be hitting the Italian striker with a fine.Now Mancini has confirmed that Balotelli has been disciplined."I spoke with Mario and gave him a fine of one week's wages for what he did," Mancini said after landing in Portugal ahead of their Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon on Thursday."This is normal because every player should have good behaviour before the game."When asked if Balotelli had accepted the fine, Mancini said: "Yes."Balotelli admitted earlier in the week, he was wrong to have broken club rules.

Balotelli Facing Club Fine

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will fine Mario Balotelli if reports he broke a club curfew are true. Balotelli allegedly went on a night out in Liverpool which lasted until the early hours of Friday morning despite having a game against Bolton on Saturday afternoon. That would be a breach of Mancini's rules and the City boss has said he will investigate. Mancini spoke after Balotelli started and scored in City's 2-0 win over Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium, Gretar Steinsson having opened the scoring with an own-goal. The Italian said: "This is Mario, I don't know whether this is true. "I only heard about this at the stadium because I never read the newspaper. I will speak with him - I am really disappointed about this. "It is not correct, not only for me and the squad but for him, because he is a professional player. "He can't stay outside the house two days before a game until two o'clock. If it is true we will do the maximum fine that we can."

Tevez: I’m sorry

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has apologised “sincerely and unreservedly” for his conduct in recent months. The Argentinian has also withdrawn his appeal against City’s fine of six weeks’ wages for gross misconduct, which was due to be heard by the Premier League in the coming days. In a statement released by City on Tuesday night, Tevez said: “I wish to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to everybody I have let down and to whom my actions over the last few months have caused offence. My wish is to concentrate on playing football for Manchester City Football Club.” Manager Roberto Mancini had long maintained he would only consider Tevez for selection again after an apology. Tevez sparked a dispute with the club when he refused to warm up during the Champions League loss at Bayern Munich in September and then spent more than three months in Argentina without permission. The 28-year-old reported back to the club last week after failing to secure a move during the January transfer window and says he now wants to fight for a place in the team. Tevez has not played for City since that infamous night at Munich’s Allianz Arena on September 27. Tevez was suspended and later fined for misconduct before he flew back to South America to begin his unauthorised leave on November 7. While away, Tevez was found guilty of gross misconduct and City took a firm line over his potential sale. Tevez, who had twice previously submitted transfer requests, was estimated to have lost £9.3million in wages or bonuses over various matters. He failed in his initial appeal against the fine of six weeks’ wages for gross misconduct – thought to be around £1.2million – to the club board but lodged another with the Premier League. His withdrawal of that appeal may now ease his return to action with the title-chasers.

Balotelli Upsets Mancini Again!

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli faces the wrath of manager Roberto Mancini after preparing for Monday night's crucial game at Chelsea with a late night out that ended in the early hours of Sunday morning. Italian striker Balotelli is in the City squad for what is arguably their biggest game of the Barclays Premier League season at Stamford Bridge. Balotelli was out until at least 12.45am in Manchester city centre after a Saturday night out with friends.City yesterday declined to comment on the alleged incident, but did confirm that first-team players are not expected to be socialising less than 48 hours before a game. Mancini is known to have a more relaxed attitude than some Premier League managers, but it is clear he will be unimpressed with another lapse in discipline from the controversial Balotelli. The 21-year-old was not thought to have been drinking alcohol in the Zouk Bar and Restaurant but was described by one eye witness as behaving 'boisterously' with a group of friends. City had their last training session before the clash in west London on Sunday morning, meaning Balotelli will not have had a full night's sleep beforehand.

Balotelli Strange but not Crazy

Mario Balotelli has admitted his off-field antics are ‘strange’ but insisted he is ‘not crazy’.The Manchester City striker made news again last month when he had to flee his home after fireworks were set off in his bathroom. But, training with the Italy squad ahead of their friendly in Poland, Balotelli denied he liked the attention. ‘When you are famous, there’s a tendency to talk more about my personal life than what I do on the pitch,’ he said. ‘It annoys me but I am not crazy – although sometimes I do strange things that are considered entertaining.’ The 21-year-old prefers to do his talking on the pitch and feels he has improved as a player since joining City from Inter Milan in the summer of 2010. ‘The Premier League has taught me to run a lot,’ he added. ‘To go for the ball and when I lose it to press to recover it. Now I have more playing time and this gives me more confidence. ‘[Italy coach Cesare] Prandelli and [City boss Roberto] Mancini have given me the calmness to play, something I didn’t have before.’ And Balotelli, who is under contract at City until 2015, believes his long-term future is in the Premier League. ‘I don’t miss Serie A,’ he said. ‘I’m very happy to be in England. ‘Italian football has been in decline. ‘The Premier League is beautiful and I play for the strongest team in England. ‘I want to remain at City. I don’t see a return to play in Italy in the future

Tevez No Show Spells More Trouble

Carlos Tevez could face fresh disciplinary action at Manchester City after he failed to turn up for training on Wednesday. The striker returned to Argentina on Tuesday but the club were expecting him back at training on Wednesday to continue his personal fitness programme. Tevez has not contested the five disciplinary charges brought against him by the club following the row on the bench in City's Champions League clash at Bayern Munich but could now face further action after failing to report for training this week. Tevez's PR Advisor Paul McCarthy told Sky Sports News: "He's gone to see his family. They flew back when he flew back, when he was suspended by Manchester City, and he's gone back to see them. "We've said all along that Carlos is aware of situation in terms of getting back to his fitness. I can't really say much more until he's back in the country." It is believed Tevez hopes to secure a move away from Eastlands in January despite City boss Roberto Mancini admitting recently he could yet have a future at the club if the row was resolved.

Mancini :Tevez Finished At Man City

FURIOUS Roberto Mancini has told Carlos Tevez he will never play for Manchester City again. Mancini erupted after Tevez refused to go on as a second-half sub as City lost against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.Manager Mancini will appeal to City chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak to support his action and it is now certain Tevez - who asked for a move in the summer - will be booted out when the January transfer window opens.Mancini also warned Edin Dzeko he will follow Tevez out of the door if he repeats his show of dissent after being substituted on a night of mutiny in the Allianz Arena."With me, he is finished," said Mancini. "He refused to go on to the pitch. But I decide this, not Carlos. If one player earns a lot of money, plays for Manchester City in the Champions League and he behaves like this, for me he can't play. Never. "I'm really disappointed that a top player refuses to go and help his team-mates in an important match like tonight."What I said to Carlos is between me, him and the team. If we want to improve like a team, like a squad, Carlos cannot play with us. With me, no. It is finished. "I will speak with Khaldoon. He is the chairman and he will decide everything. Do you think at Bayern Munich or Milan or Manchester United a player can behave like this? No. This is the answer." Mancini explained that he was going to send on Tevez minutes after replacing Dzeko with midfielder Nigel De Jong.

No moves for Tevez

Roberto Mancini thinks Carlos Tevez will stay at Manchester City - because nobody wants him. After a fraught summer, during which Tevez handed in an official transfer request and was unsuccessfully pursued by former club Corinthians, the Argentina striker returned to training on Monday. It was still anticipated he would leave City before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, with Inter Milan leading the chase. However, Mancini insists there has been no contact. And with time ticking down, he would welcome the prospect of Tevez staying where he is. "It is two weeks until the end of the market," said Mancini. "I think it is difficult for him to leave. "I don't know if he will stay but at the moment, there isn't a team who want to take him. I would be happy if he stays."

Balotelli Showboating Angers Mancini

Mario Balotelli’s failed trick shot sparked a heated row with manager Roberto Mancini that took the shine off Manchester City’s penalty shootout win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday. The Italian striker with a hot-headed reputation scored the only goal in normal time for City but was substituted by the time the teams went to a penalty shootout to decide the exhibition match. Mancini was incensed after Balotelli broke away on the Galaxy goal in the 28th minute and then turned backwards and tried to hit a ball into the net with the back of his foot. The ball went wide and Balotelli was subbed as soon as his replacement could warm up. “I think for the player, this can be a lesson,” Mancini said. “This can’t happen on a strong team. “I hope he understands that he needs to have good behaviour.” Goalkeeper Joe Hart scored the game-winning penalty kick as City beat the Galaxy 7-6 in a penalty shootout . Balotelli, who has been criticised before for his unprofessional antics, was replaced by James Milner. Once on the sidelines, Mancini and Balotelli got into it. Mancini appeared to motion for Balotelli to head to the locker room but Balotelli extended his arms, said something and then sat down on the bench where he slammed a cup to the turf and took off his jersey as he watched the rest of the half. He stayed in the locker room for the second half. Mancini told reporters after the match that the situation is under control and there is no need to take it any further. The temperamental Balotelli has a chequered past. Three months ago he got into a row with Manchester United players at the end of a FA Cup semifinal match. Balotelli had to be dragged away from the scrum that ensued after the Italian’s spirited victory celebration angered the United players. In March, Balotelli was investigated by the club after a claim he threw a dart at some youth-team players at the club’s training facility. Three months earlier, Mancini has to break up a fight between Balotelli and Jerome Boateng after Balotelli reacted angrily to a challenge by his teammate during a training session. The win over the Galaxy was the third straight for Manchester City in their North American tour. It went to the shootout because of the regulations of the World Football Challenge friendly tournament which the match is a part of. Hart stopped an AJ DeLaGarza’s penalty kick then stepped up to take his turn in the shootout after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw in regular time. Galaxy’s Mike Magee scored in the 53rd minute to tie it 1-1, hitting a perfectly place shot from outside the box that Hart couldn’t get to. “They’re a good team, so we knew it would be a good test for us,” City midfielder Milner said. “But that’s what you want for preseason, a good test, good fitness. All-in-all, it was a good game.” Manchester City used their starters for most of the game as the get ready for the upcoming Premier League season

Mancini hoping to sign three more players

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says he is looking to bring in two or three quality players to the club, regardless of whether want-away skipper Carlos Tevez is sold.

Mancini is believed to be on the verge of making an offer for Sergio Aguero, as the Atletico Madrid front-man is seen as the perfect replacement for his Argentina strike partner. However, the City boss has indicated that he would be willing to bring in Aguero even if Tevez remains at Eastlands.

"I think it is really difficult to buy any players because all the good teams want these players,'' Mancini said on Sky Sports News.

"But I hope that before the game against Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 7 we can have all these players.

"We have two, three targets but it depends. We need to improve because we are at the moment a few players short for competition and we need to have other players.''

For the time being at least, Mancini still has Tevez and the manager is adamant he is still welcome at the club.

"At the moment Carlos is still a City player, like yesterday, like three days ago,'' he said.

"In the future we will see what can happen. But for us Carlos is an important player.

"Carlos wants to leave, wants to come back to Argentina or maybe another country for his family. It is only because of this I think that the club accept to sell Carlos, because I think that we respect his reasons."

Tevez, on holiday after Argentina were knocked out of the Copa America, is said not to be "overly worried" by the collapse of his move to Corinthians.

Reports in Italy have suggested the striker met with Inter Milan sporting director Marco Branca on Wednesday, while his representative Kia Joorabchian is confident new bids will come in for the striker.

Corinthians' bid for Tevez accepted

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Corinthians for the sale of Carlos Tevez.City turned down a £40 million bid from the Brazilian club last week, and were believed to be holding out for £50 million for a player who finished as joint top scorer in the Premier League last season with 20 goals.However, speaking on the club's pre-season tour of the USA, Mancini told Sky Sports News: "We have an agreement with Corinthians but Carlos now is still a City player."Asked whether Tevez would now be discussing personal terms, Mancini replied: "I don't know this. I repeat, at the moment, Carlos is still a City player."I want to wait. At the moment we are here, we are working with the other guys. We should think about this.''Defender Joleon Lescott admitted he would be disappointed to see his team-mate depart but understood his wishes.

Lescott told Sky Sports News: "We'll be disappointed if Carlos leaves but it was down to the club and Carlos what was best for each other and they have come to an agreement so I wish both parties all the best.

"Carlos is his own man. Last season he played to 110% every game so none of us will be holding any grudges towards him and we'll wish him all the best if he does leave."

Want-away Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero is the likely replacement for Tevez at Manchester City.

Mancini reveals Aguero, Nasri are Man City targets

Roberto Mancini broke the unwritten rule of not talking about another club's player when he said he would like Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero to sign for Manchester City if his Argentina team mate Carlos Tevez leaves the club.

Most managers usually adopt a coy attitude and tiptoe around naming players they would like to sign but Mancini, showing some refreshing honesty, also said he would like to sign Samir Nasri from Arsenal before the end of July.

Aguero (23) has been the subject of widespread speculation that he will move to England, with Chelsea also reportedly showing an interest, while Tevez wants to leave City for South America saying he needs to be closer to his children.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Mancini said: "Aguero is a player that can play for Manchester City because he is young and he is a good player like Carlos. "He can score a lot of goals and can play with Mario (Balotelli), with Edin (Dzeko)... it could be that he joins."

Aguero has also been linked with a move to Atletico's city rivals Real Madrid, as well as Juventus. Mancini was also candid about signing Nasri from Arsenal.

Nasri has one year left on his contract with the London side, although Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he wants to keep him even if he does not renew his deal, and would allow him to leave for nothing next year.

Mancini told Sky: "Samir is under contract with Arsenal. Also for Samir it depends on many things." Asked if City had made a bid for the 24-year-old Frenchman, Mancini said: "I don't know... but for Nasri it is difficult.

"I hope that we can buy because we need other players, and I hope that this player can arrive before the end of the month." Mancini also said he respected Tevez's decision to want to leave City for family and personal reasons.

Corinthians of Brazil have bid about £40M for Tevez, according to Brazilian media, after their original 35 million pounds offer was rejected.

Manchester City land Stefan Savic

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini claims a deal is in place to bring Stefan Savic to England.The Blues have been chasing the FK Partisan defender since the end of the 2010/11 campaign, with his obvious potential drawing admiring glances from across Europe.At just 20 years of age, the Montenegro international is regarded as a hot prospect for the future and a number of sides have expressed an interest in acquiring his services.City, though, appear to have edged out their rivals in that particular pursuit, with an agreement to bring him to Eastlands almost sealed.Mancini has confirmed that Savic is close to completing a move, while he has also admitted to being in the running to land Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri.He said: "I would say a deal for Savic has been done, but Nasri? No, not yet."

City's Italian coach has also speculated on further new arrivals at Eastlands, with a number of Serie A's leading lights catching his eye.Mancini added: "I like Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani.

"I like Javier Pastore a little less.

"When I think of Udinese, I can think of Pablo Armero and Mauricio Isla.
"And I must say Antonio Di Natale. It's a pity that he is now getting on in years.

"I also liked Radja Nainggolan of Cagliari.

"Of course, I did not mention the Inter boys for whom I have a weakness. I think the ones I coached are great players."

Manchester City close in on French Ace

Manchester City are closing in on £20million-rated Lyon ace Aly Cissokho, according to The Sun.City chiefs Gary Cook and Brian Marwood flew to France earlier this week to negotiate a deal for the 23-year-old defender.The Citizens look set to clinch their first big signing of the summer with Lyon keen to sell the highly-rated full-back in order to fund their own transfer plans.Roberto Mancini has received glowing scouting reports of Cissokho; the player is a powerful and pacy left-back who likes to bomb forward.He has three years left on his contract and has captured the attention of Europe with his marauding displays since signing from Porto in 2009 for 12million.The Italian is determined to have two top-class stars for each position and wants competition for Serbian Aleksandar Kolarov.

Liverpool have also been linked with Cissokho, however the Anfield club may be priced out of a move by Citys financial power

Balotelli angers Man City and fans after amazing double snub

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli snubbed their FA Cup victory parade yesterday.
The Sun says in a double insult, the £80,000-a-week star also failed to turn up for the club's end-of-season dinner on Sunday where he was due to receive the Young Player of the Year award - as voted for by the fans.The controversial striker, recalled yesterday to the Italy squad, flew home after the final match of the season at Bolton.Micah Richards had to pick up the honour on his behalf in front of embarrassed club officials, sponsors and disappointed supporters, who paid to be at the event.City chief executive Garry Cook wrote to the players insisting they must attend last night's celebration.The club were ready to fine anyone who ignored the directive.
But they are unable to punish Balotelli, 20, as boss Roberto Mancini gave him permission to fly off.

This has angered the Eastlands hierarchy.

Balotelli and Mancini in dressing room clash

Roberto Mancini reportedly threw a suitcase at Mario Balotelli following his sending off and Manchester City's subsequent exit from the Europa League
Hot-headed striker Balotelli saw red in last weeks clash with Dynamo Kiev for a reckless tackle on Goran Popov in the first half and Mancini so furious after the clash that he picked up one of the player's suitcases in the dressing room and flung it in the Italian's direction, according to the News of the World.
City backroom staff had to step in to diffuse the fight as Mancini yelled: "I don’t want to see your face again."
Mancini also worked with Balotelli at Internazionale before bringing him to Eastlands but appears to be running out of patience with his star striker.
"Mario is a young player but this is the time when he needs to start thinking with his head," Mancini said after Balotelli apologised to his manager.
"He needs to use his brain, if not he will find things very difficult. Firstly he is a fantastic player and his talent does not deserve this situation.
"Secondly he has let down the players, the squad and me because I trusted him 100 per cent. This is very difficult. At the moment he is not repaying my trust."
The Sport Star Sunday takes the story one step further with reports that Balotelli has been fined £300,000 by the club for his red card.
That's just about two week's wages for the stroppy Italian, then. Barely a drop in the ocean.

Mancini Demands more from Balottelli

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini wants Mario Balotelli to raise his game even though the striker has an impressive scoring ratio in his first season at Eastlands.Balotelli, 20, took his tally to nine goals in 14 appearances in the draw with Fulham on Sunday.On Wednesday night the Italian could be back in action against Aston Villa in the FA Cup fifth round - the team he scored a hat-trick against in December.Mancini is hoping his £24million buy from Inter Milan can kick on in the remaining crucial weeks of the campaign.
He said: "I expect more because Mario has an incredible attitude to play football. He can play better.
"He scored a fantastic goal on Sunday but after this he should have continued to play for the team. It is important that all the players work in the defensive phase when we lose the ball.
"Sometimes you do not play as well as you can. That's normal, also for Mario. He has come back after two months out and played two games in 10 days."But it's important when you are tired and play every three days, that you have the right mentality. That's the same for Mario and for all the players."They should understand for us this is a very important moment. This month is a key month for us because this month can change our future."

Mancini has re-iterated his desire to end 35 years of hurt and deliver a trophy to City.

The Italian manager believes if they can succeed this season it will have a snowball effect.

City are also still involved in the Europa League and travel to Ukraine next week for the first leg of the last-16 tie against Dynamo Kiev.

Mancini is fully aware of the history of the club and the fact they last won a major trophy on February 28, 1976 when Newcastle were defeated 2-1 in the League Cup final.

He said: "We have a big chance of winning something and have two options. If we win one trophy it will lead to more trophies. This is important for our team.

"When I accepted this job I knew it was difficult but it is a big challenge and I believe we can win a trophy."

Mancini believes Villa will pose a sterner test than they did in December and added: "The last two or three weeks they have played better. But for us the FA Cup is important and we want to progress."