Balotelli in Jose jibe

Balotelli: Feels settled in England and is enjoying his time at Eastlands

Mario Balotelli claims to be loving life under Roberto Mancini, following frequent rows with Jose Mourinho.

The Italy international striker linked up with Mancini at Manchester City last summer, having grown disillusioned with life at Inter Milan.

He arrived with a reputation for producing the unexpected, both on and off the field.

His fiery temperament was well known, with his time at Inter marred by regular clashes with former coach Mourinho.

“When I first came here it was difficult because I came from another country and I am only 20. That wasn’t easy, but now I feel good.”
Mario Balotelli Quotes of the week

Balotelli claims he was misunderstood by the Portuguese tactician, with Mancini’s more considered approach helping to bring the best out of him.

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He told The People: “Maybe Mourinho said these things about me because he could not manage me. I don’t know why. He couldn’t understand me, but Mancini is doing what Mourinho couldn’t do.

“Mancini is different from Mourinho. They are both great managers but they are different men. Mancini supports me. Mourinho was different. Whenever I had a problem, Mourinho always went against me. When I have a problem here, Mancini always supports me.

“I think that Mourinho did what he did at Inter Milan because maybe we have the same character.”

Balotelli also claims the public perception of him as something of a wild child is wide of the mark, with his time in England having helped him to mature and enjoy his football again.

He said: “I am enjoying myself now. When I first came here it was difficult because I came from another country and I am only 20. That wasn’t easy, but now I feel good.

Normal

“The idea people have of me is not correct. Absolutely not. I am shy. I like to have fun. I like to do what normal 20-year-old guys like to do. I am just me. Normal.

“People tell me some of the things that are said about me and many times I have to laugh because these just aren’t true.

“I am a footballer. I like to train and I like to play. I don’t care what people say about my private life because they don’t know my private life. They can say what they want, it doesn’t bother me.

“When you are famous, people want to talk about you. But sometimes what is said isn’t true and the people who know me know that. They know I am normal.

“It was the same in Italy and things haven’t changed since I came here. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I do things that are a little bit different.”