Ireland launches scathing attack on Mancini management

Stephen Ireland has launched a scathing attack on the managerial skills of Roberto Mancini following his departure from Manchester City.

Ireland, who was officially unveiled as an Aston Villa player on Friday having joined the Villains as part of the deal which took James Milner to Eastlands, said he had little or no relationship with the Italian, something he believes is the case with the majority of players at the club.

“Mancini doesn’t really build relationships with players, he said.

“He brought in Patrick Vieira and when I spoke to him about his relationship he said he doesn’t really have one – and he’s worked for him for seven or eight years.

“I think that’s the way he is. He has everybody a bit on edge. I didn’t speak to him before I left City – not at all.

“There is definitely pressure at City. They’re on a journey to try to be champions and they want it overnight as well.”

Mancini gave Ireland very little opportunities to impress at City since he became manager at the end of last year and suggested that Ireland’s attitude was poor, saying that he needed to ‘change his head’.

Ireland felt that it was an unfair accusation on Mancini’s part and cited his performances on the training pitch as reason to suggest that Mancini’s suggestion was wide of the mark.

“I think that was really unfair because all the players know I was first into ­training and the last to leave,” Ireland said.

“I worked the hardest with the heart monitors, tests and stuff. I was always No.1 – far ahead of anyone.

“I was practically always the best player in training. Now if he is standing there and watching that, then how doesn’t he see that?”

Despite the fact that City have signed a host of stars this summer in a spending spree in the region of £125 million, Ireland believes that he was the equal of any of the new arrivals and is determined to prove at his new club that City were wrong to let him go.

“Things were all the harder for me after things looked to be going so well for me under Mark Hughes,” he said

“I went from being Player of the Year and playing 67 games to playing 16.

“Mancini has brought in some players and it just hasn’t really happened.

“I can easily say I have as much, if not more, ability as any player City have signed this year – and hopefully I can show Villa that.”