Former Manchester City Star Emmanuel Adebayor Criticises Club's 'Hurtful' Exit
Emmanuel Adebayor has launched a scathing attack on Manchester City, accusing the club of freezing him out in an "insulting" manner following his return from a loan spell at Real Madrid in 2011. The Togo international's comments come as City prepare to host Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League round of 16 second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Adebayor's Rise and Fall at Manchester City
Adebayor joined Manchester City from Arsenal in 2009 and quickly became a fan favourite, most notably for his infamous celebration after scoring against his former club. He netted 14 goals in 31 appearances during the 2009/10 season, but his relationship with manager Roberto Mancini soured the following year.
In January 2011, Adebayor was loaned to Real Madrid, where he scored eight goals in 22 matches. However, a permanent move to the Spanish giants failed to materialise, forcing his return to City that summer.
'No One Was Man Enough to Speak to Me'
Adebayor claims he was sidelined upon his return, with the club failing to communicate directly about his future. In an interview with The Sun, he revealed: "This is very hurtful and insulting and says a lot about Manchester City. On the one hand they want to become the biggest, most successful club in the world, yet the people who run the club are not acting in that way at all."
The striker alleged he was informed via email from football director Brian Marwood's secretary that he should report for training on July 9, while the first team was leaving for a pre-season tour of the USA on July 8. Adebayor stated: "No one at City is man enough to speak to me face-to-face to explain. I just received an email... So it's clear they don't want me here but no one even called."
He further claimed that at least six other players were treated similarly, highlighting a broader issue within the club's management at the time.
Mancini's Comments and Adebayor's Subsequent Move
Despite Mancini previously expressing happiness for Adebayor's goals at Real Madrid and suggesting he could stay at City, the striker was not reintegrated into the squad. Instead, he joined Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan in 2011, thriving under Harry Redknapp with 18 goals across all competitions.
This successful spell led to a permanent £5 million transfer to Spurs in 2012, more than 18 months after his final appearance for City. Adebayor's departure was part of a turbulent period for the club, with teammate Craig Bellamy also voicing criticism during the same summer transfer window.
Legacy and Current Context
Adebayor's revelations shed light on the internal challenges Manchester City faced during their early years of transformation under wealthy ownership. His story contrasts sharply with the club's current stature as a dominant force in European football, set to face Real Madrid in a high-stakes Champions League clash.
The incident underscores the importance of player management and communication in top-level football, a lesson that resonates as both clubs prepare for their upcoming encounter. Adebayor's career after City included further spells at Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and Istanbul Basaksehir before his retirement in 2020.
