Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists he and Mario Balotelli never came to blows during training ground row

Mario Balotelli and Roberto enjoyed an up and down relationship (Picture: Getty)

Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has revealed that Mario Balotelli’s tackle on a fragile Gael Clichy was what ended his career with the club.

Famous pictures of the two Italians near to blows during a training ground row in 2013 went viral and Mancini explained it was sparked after the striker failed to follow his instructions.

More: Football

Shock? Betting suspended on Antonio Conte leaving Chelsea

Only FOUR Manchester United players make Phil Thompson's combined XI with Liverpool

Arsenal can look one-dimensional and lack leadership

Clichy was recovering from an injury leading to the players being told to lay off the full-back and Mancini explained he was enraged when Balotelli flew in on the Frenchman moments later.

‘In a training session, I said to players not to make stupid tackles on Gael [Clichy] because he was just coming back from injury.

Mancini brought his fellow Italian to the club (Picture: Getty)

‘And then, Mario made a strong tackle on him. I was furious,’ Mancini told L’Equipe.

‘I grabbed him by the collar wanting to push him but he is so strong physically I couldn’t move him.

Balotelli is now at Nice after unsuccessful spells with AC Milan and Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

‘From seeing the pictures, you would think that we came to blows but nothing happened.

'Rooney MUST start against Liverpool and HAS to play at No.10'

‘He came into conflict with some team-mates because of his behaviour, and he wanted to return to Italy.

‘I was disappointed that he wanted to leave because he should __have done so much more in an extraordinary championship.’