Fergie backs Mancini´s stance on Tevez

Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Roberto Mancini’s handling of the Carlos Tevez saga ahead of Manchester United’s derby clash on Sunday.

The United manager used his match programme notes to reiterate a manager’s reliance upon maintaining authority during a player revolt.

Ferguson also insisted Mancini had done the right thing by asserting control over the situation following Tevez’s reported refusal to play against Bayern Munich.

Ferguson also refuted claims he has a personal grudge against Tevez after the Argentine’s departure from Old Trafford in 2009.

“If a player refuses to go on the field and there is a clear attempt to defy the authority of the manager, then he has to react – and vigorously so,” Ferguson said.

“Management these days has become much more complicated, not least because of the enormous amounts of money players earn, and you cannot afford to pander to that kind of power.”

“Carlos no doubt felt aggrieved, and I am sure he still does, but there are important principles at play here and there has to be a limit to what a head coach can tolerate.”

“The City boss’s reaction was spot-on and sent a clear message to the rest of the players, not just at Eastlands but throughout the game.”

“His handling of the situation distinguished him in managerial terms. I always admire the courage to do right, and that is what we are seeing here.”

“When Carlos appeared reluctant to come on as a substitute I saw a coach angry and disturbed and rightly so because nobody should be bigger at a club than a manager.”

“He is the man who must have absolute authority and to give way to a challenge to his control is the biggest mistake a boss can make.”

“I am not saying this to have a go at Carlos. There will be cynics who say I have it in for him because of the circumstances through which he left Old Trafford under something of a cloud.”

“I never had a problem with Carlos and I am speaking critically of him now only because of my understanding of the difficult jobs managers face.”