Bellamy on brink of City exit after criticism of Mancini
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Your support makes all the difference.Craig Bellamy's Manchester City career appears to be over, with the club furious about his public criticism of the manager Roberto Mancini and ready to discipline him.
City are understood to be viewing the footage and transcript of Bellamy's interview from the Wales camp on Tuesday, in which he claimed Mancini had not spoken to him since February and that his commitment last season had gone unrewarded. If City decide to fine Bellamy two weeks' wages – £180,000 – it would appear to drive a final wedge between him and the club where he claimed only 19 months ago that "when I retire and I see City go on and win Champions Leagues, I'll know deep down I was a part of that".
Bellamy was, as he had predicted in Tuesday's press conference, omitted from Mancini's Europa League squad yesterday ahead of next week's trip to Timisoara of Romania for the qualifier. The only other notable omissions were Stephen Ireland, who is expected to complete a medical at Aston Villa today, and Nedum Onuoha, whose likely season-long loan deal to Sunderland will probably see off for good another young City academy graduate.
City have grounds for their irritation with Bellamy, whom they let off the hook when he seemed to make comments that supported David Moyes after the Everton manager's clash with Mancini in the closing minutes of a Premier League match in March.
The last week of the pre-season has offered further hints of disharmony at City, with Shay Given stating that he will look to go out on loan if he is not first- choice goalkeeper. If Joe Hart does play at White Hart Lane on Saturday, he will be easily the longest-serving City player in the side. If Given plays then he will be – unless Vincent Kompany, a "veteran" of two years' standing, is selected.
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