Liverpool

Agent Mino Raiola: 'Jurgen Klopp was a piece of sh** in Mario Balotelli snub'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 03 September 2016

Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola criticises "piece of sh**" Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for his treatment of the Italian striker.

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Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola has labelled Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a "piece of shit" for his role in the striker's exit from Anfield.

The 26-year-old sealed a permanent move to Nice on a free transfer earlier this week following a failed two-year spell on Merseyside.

Balotelli made just 16 Premier League appearances for the Reds following his £16m switch from AC Milan in 2014, scoring one goal.

Klopp made it clear to the Italian that he would not figure in his plans this season by ordering him to train with the development team.

After Balotelli completed his move, Raiola launched a verbal attack on Klopp, claiming that the German manager is "not a good coach".

"In the end, the higher-ups at Liverpool admitted that Klopp was wrong [to send Balotelli to the reserves]," Gazzetta dello Sport quotes Raiola as saying.

"I'm not trying to judge him as a coach - although, for me, he's not a good coach - but he didn't understand that Balotelli is, whatever else, a person.

"Mario has been exemplary. He never complained about training alone. To say that it was wrong of Klopp would be an understatement. He was a piece of shit about it."

Balotelli has also had spells at Inter Milan and Manchester City during his career.