Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini: I never said that Carlos Tevez wanted to go to Italy

Roberto Mancini – Manchester City (Getty Images)

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Roberto Mancini hopes that Carlos Tevez will remain at Manchester City, but is willing to let the striker leave if he is not happy at Eastlands.

Earlier on in the season, the Argentine had previously submitted a transfer request to make a move away from the club, but withdrew it to announce that he remained committed to the ongoing project at City.

But the former West Ham United man has been linked with a move to the Serie A in the past, and Mancini hit back at such reports.

“I never said that Carlos wanted to go to Italy. He has a fabulous contract with us. He’s our captain and is an important player for us,” he said, according to The Mirror.

“I don’t know if he was saying goodbye after the game on Saturday, you’d have to ask him.

“It’s important to work with a team if you believe in the project. If I’m not happy, I leave. This is true for everyone in every job.

“For me, he stays here. He wants to stay. I’ve spoken with him and he said to me ‘why you say I want to leave?’

“I told him I never said that. Never! I believe he wants to stay.”

It had been widely thought that Mancini could lose his job if he did not guide City to a top four finish to achieve Champions League football.

But the former Inter boss not only managed to take the club into the top four, but could potentially finish third and avoid playing in the qualification round of the European competition.

To add to his achievements, the Italian boss has also guided the Eastlands outfit to an FA Cup triumph, which was their first piece of silverware in 35 years.

“I do this job because I like football. I like to work on the pitch and only in this way can you beat important teams,” said Mancini.

“If you don’t believe in yourself and your job, it’s difficult. This victory will help me and the players improve.

“It’s difficult to win a championship in the first year, unless you are Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barcelona.

“If you take another team you need time to do it. After winning this cup next year maybe we can play for the top with United.

“I believe in this project because we have the chance to buy big players like United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the past.

“I don’t know if we can win the title next year because it will be hard, but it is possible to arrive at this target.

“For me we have a good team because we have a young team. I believe this team can stay together for a long time.”