Kompany replaces Tevez as City captain

Roberto Mancini has confirmed Carlos Tevez is no longer Manchester City captain, with Vincent Kompany officially taking the armband.

The Argentine striker publicly reiterated his desire to leave City before the season started, but was unable to seal a move away before the close of the transfer window.

While last season’s Golden Boot winner could make his first start this season against Wigan Athletic on Saturday after returning to fitness, his position as captain has been passed to defender Kompany, who has worn the armband for City’s opening three games.

“The captain now is Vinnie Kompany,” Mancini told reporters.

“The reasons are simple. Carlos wanted to leave the club in the summer for family reasons.”

“I respected his opinion about wanting to leave, but Carlos is still here because we didn’t find a solution for him.”

“He’s a fantastic player for us, someone who can score 20 goals a season, but I decided in the summer that Vinnie was the captain.”

Mancini insisted Tevez accepted the decision to hand over the armband to the Belgium international, and expects the 27-year-old to continue with his industrious work ethic.

“Carlos is a clever man. He trains very well, Carlos works very well. Sometimes maybe, like all the other players, it’s impossible that all the players train very well every day,” Mancini said.

“Maybe if a player plays the night before he doesn’t sleep very well, and that’s a problem for every player, but Carlos works very well, and when he plays the games he’s an incredible player.”

Mancini also said that he was interested in signing Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci after failed attempts to bring him to Manchester in the off-season.

Mancini has followed the 24-year-old winger’s career in Italy, and admitted he wanted to sign him even earlier.

“I have followed him since his days at Pisa in the 2007-08 season. He was just 20, but immediately did things that were extraordinary,” Mancini said.

“He is one of the few players who are able to win a game on their own. If I could have I would have brought him to the Premier League a year ago.”

“We have tried again this summer because I thought he might make an important contribution and mix well with the players here at City.”

“But we could not complete the transaction and in all honesty I must say that I understand Fiorentina.”