Serie A’s bottom side, Brescia, are set to terminate the contract of former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli. Sky Sports report that the Italian’s departure is imminent, while Eurosport are reporting that the deed has already been done and that Balotelli is no longer a Brescia player.
Mario Balotelli to be Sacked by Serie A Side Brescia
Training Troubles
A controversial figure at both City and Liverpool, Balotelli has proved to be just that once again following a bust-up with club president Massimo Cellino. The former Leeds United chairman claims that Balotelli has deserted the side as they return to training ahead of Serie A’s resumption later this month.
The club reportedly offered Balotelli a consensual termination, but after he rejected this, a letter has now been received by his lawyer confirming that he will no longer be employed by the club.
Balotelli was made to train on his own last month after failing a series of physical tests. He is also set to submit a claim of wrongful termination.
Signing Was a ‘Mistake’
As part of the bust-up, Cellino went ahead and said that he feels signing Balotelli was a “mistake”.
The 29-year-old has scored five times since joining his home-town club last summer, but with Brescia bottom of the league and nine points adrift of safety, Cellino’s wish to get the striker out of the club looks to be coming to fruition.
Speaking to the BBC World Service’s World Football Show, Cellino said: “He doesn’t show up to training, he doesn’t look very committed let’s say, for the future of the club.
“Balotelli apparently doesn’t like to stay in Italy any more because he’s not acting that way.
“I think we both made a mistake. I thought that coming to Brescia, which is his town, would commit him very much. At the same time, I think he was handled the wrong way by my previous coach [Eugenio Corini].”
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