Not a single bastard quote
However if this is how Mancini truly is then I like it.
By NEIL CUSTIS
Published: Today
ROBERTO MANCINI comes across as the soft, smiley face of Manchester City.
But beneath that exterior he is single-minded and as hard as nails.
It is why he will not be messed around by any players or board members at Eastlands, as he strives to bring the club a first Premier League title.
Mancini has made it clear to the City board that is his desired aim for next season.
He wants full backing to go for it - or they can get someone else.
The Italian is seeking complete control over all transfers, in and out, without question and full disciplinary powers over all the City players.
So far, both Mancini and the board have been weighing each other up.
But Mancini wants to know the full extent of the club's backing before he moves his family over to Manchester and accepts a further three-year stay.
He initially signed a six-month deal, with the option of another three years.
Mancini was content that the January transfer window was too early for him to start stamping his feet, having been given the job only on Boxing Day last year.
He was allowed to bring in Patrick Vieira on loan from his former club Inter Milan and gifted £7million Adam Johnson without full knowledge of what he was getting.
Johnson, at least, has been a big success since his switch from Middlesbrough right on the transfer window deadline. But already Mancini has decided who he does NOT want along for the ride next season, as he aims to build a side capable of winning the title.
Emmanuel Adebayor, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge have cost City £43.5million over the past two years, while Stephen Ireland is a luxury he simply does not believe he can accommodate in the team.
Owner Sheikh Mansour will have to take a massive hit on his transfer outlay now Mancini wants to swing the axe. But Mansour is set to back his man.
He is desperate to see him succeed, following the terrible fall-out over the club's premature sacking of former boss Mark Hughes last December.
Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak completely underestimated the backlash from the Welshman's departure, having publicly backed their man for the long term.
This time, even if Mancini misses out on fourth spot, they will want to be seen to be sticking by their manager. That is why they will be ready to back him with hard cash in the summer transfer market, with anything up to £150m at his disposal.
Mansour has already spent £250m on the squad.
While Mancini is happy to have discussions with the likes of football administrator Brian Marwood or chief executive Garry Cook, he wants the final say on all football matters.
He was not afraid to stand up to the hierarchy at Inter Milan, where he won three Serie A titles, and will tackle anyone trying to stand in his way here.
At City, Mancini has felt there has been a little too much outside influence over his dealings on the training ground.
Players have reported their unrest at his tough schedules to the top brass.
SunSport revealed how Craig Bellamy blew his top with Mancini over which coach he should train with as he came back from injury.
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Mancini stood firm and sent the forward home from the training ground, telling him not to come back for three months.
Both Marwood and Cook got involved to smooth over the situation, leaving Mancini undoubtedly feeling slightly undermined. Despite that, Mancini loves the determination and effort Bellamy puts in and desperately wants to keep him.
With City on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League, and Juventus wanting his services, Mancini is in a strong position.
His league record this season is played 17, won nine, drawn 4, lost 4. That has left City sixth, a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham and fifth-placed Aston Villa - both of whom they still have to play at home. City also have a game in hand on Villa, who they entertain this Saturday.
The names of the players Mancini will want out will surprise some. Wright-Phillips and Ireland are crowd favourites, Adebayor cost big money and Bridge is a high-profile name.
Mancini will undoubtedly tell everyone at his Friday press conference that they are all good players and he has no problems with any of them.
He will smile and dismiss thoughts of kicking them out, just as he did with Robinho. Do not be fooled.
