LONDON: Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez said Sunday he wanted to leave the English Premier League high-flyer as his relationship with “certain executives and individuals” at the club “has broken down beyond repair”. But City captain Tevez, in a statement issued by his agent Kia Joorabchian, stressed he had “no personal issue” with manager Roberto Mancini despite their seemingly fractious relationship, and thanked owner Sheikh Mansour for his “understanding and support”. It is understood that one of the people Tevez has fallen out with at Eastlands is City chief executive Garry Cook. Earlier Sunday, City confirmed it had rejected a transfer request from the Argentina striker, who has scored 33 goals in 50 Premier League games since joining from arch-rival Manchester United before the start of last season and who is not due to leave Eastlands until 2014. However, Tevez appeared intent on leaving, saying in his statement: “I can confirm I have handed a transfer request to the chairman of Manchester City Football Club. “Now I need to clear my head and think because this is an important part of my career,” the 26-year-old added. “My feelings have not changed and it is regrettable that we have reached this situation. “But it is something I have felt for some time and have spent many hours thinking this through.” The club earlier rejected out of hands his request and expressed its displeasure at his move. “The club remains disappointed by this situation and particularly with the actions of Carlos' representative,” said a Manchester City statement. “Roberto Mancini and all at the club have shown, and will continue to show, sensitivity to Carlos' personal circumstances including the issue of his family being based overseas. “Indeed following his suspension as a result of the game against Bolton, Carlos requested, and was given, special dispensation by the manager to take leave overseas. “The written transfer request is in stark contrast to Carlos' stated position in both public and club contexts. “Significantly, over recent months, the club has also received numerous requests from Carlos' representative to renegotiate and improve his playing contract as well as more recently a request to extend that contract by another year. “However, in line with the club's policy of not negotiating playing contracts mid-season this has not been granted. Carlos' current five-year contract has three-and-a-half years to run and he is the highest paid player at Manchester City Football Club. This is both an unfortunate and unwelcome distraction and the club will remain focused on the games.” – Agence France
