Coco explains City exit

January 23, 2007

INTER Milan defender Francesco Coco has denied a poor attitude was the reason behind City aborting his trial last week.

Coco travelled to England for what was intended to be a week's training with the Premiership club, but he returned to Italy after only two days with reports suggesting that poor behaviour had led to the early departure.

"It's an incredible lie," Coco told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I am a serious professional, educated and respectful with others."

The former Italy international, who is looking for a new club after spending last season on loan with Livorno, said football reasons were the problem.

"I left Manchester on good terms with the coach (Stuart Pearce)," said the 30-year-old.

"When they told me that City could use my services, I asked Inter's permission to travel to England for a couple of days.

"It didn't work out because the coach wanted to use me in a different position to what I am used to, full-back.

"After two days we realised that there was no point in wasting time as they already have two players in my position."

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The Pope, Rome (23/01/2007 at 10:48)

I thought he was a full back!

Mark, Chester (23/01/2007 at 10:51)

That's called being let down gently Coco you clown!

Weasel (not McKay), Stockport (23/01/2007 at 10:54)

The Pope - A left one at that! He must know more than us - i didnt think we had 1 left back!

C1TY, Manchester (23/01/2007 at 10:56)

it is but he is saying city wanted him to play in a differant position, possibly on the wing. still typical city.

The Pope, Rome (23/01/2007 at 10:56)

Ah he's a "wing back"
As stated in a previous MEN story when he first came.
Loads of difference isn't there.
An Italian who comes to City and doesn't want to defend all the time! What an insight!

JB, Manchester (23/01/2007 at 10:59)

He is a fullback... but no doubt it was unlikely pearce would ever actually play him there!

prob wanted him to play left wing or upfront!

bernstein(hiding in a cupboard), new mills (23/01/2007 at 11:01)

left back means your a left back does it not? so maybe pearce asked him to play in goals,it would not suprise me .

C1TY, Manchester (23/01/2007 at 11:05)

breaking news reyna's gone.

Eamonn, Stockport (23/01/2007 at 11:07)

Sorry Coco, we've already got a clown at left back !

Tactical Genius, Pit Of Despair (23/01/2007 at 11:12)

Ah But Pearce wanted him to play up front!!!!

Training Cone, Carrington (23/01/2007 at 11:43)

My previous post was deleted so here goes on a slightly different angle. Allegedly Coco was overweight and unfit and this was probably the reason why SP decided not to pursue his signing. Rumours of him insisting on wearing make up, a big red nose and size 20 boots are totally unfounded as is the scandalous rumour that Pearce after consulting with Wigley & Flowers thought he was cute.

dpkmanc, Levenshulme (23/01/2007 at 11:52)

When Wardle told Pearse he was going to bring Coco in, Pearce thought he meant Cocoa, and that it would be a very good idea to relax the players before a game. Unfortunately, when he went back to Italy, Pearse returned to using sleeping-tablets as usual against Blackburn.

des, manchester 'not london' (23/01/2007 at 11:55)

we already have 11 clowns that played on saturday why would we want another one!!

mark, bluefield (23/01/2007 at 12:01)

No doubt the tactically inept Pearce, wanted to use him as a striker. Lord help us.

Mike, Ashton (23/01/2007 at 12:04)

He was going to do a Trabelsi with him. At least we know he is lkooking for left wingers. Ok you'd expect him to be looking but at least now we know!

Gary, Dudley (23/01/2007 at 12:06)

What an insult to City fans' intelligence. The guy has been struggling with back and other injuries for years, and can't get a game in Italy because the manager doesn't think he is fit enough. At this moment, after Saturday, we have NO specialist left backs in the club. Jordan is a sick joke, who needs to disappear in Reyna's designer luggage, on the next flight to America. Distin can play there, but Pearce is too scared that he will take offence and leave before the transfer window shuts. Shaleum Logan plays there, but is right footed and has never played a senior match. If Coco was needed as a "Wing Back", to fit in with the marvellous 3-5-2 system, well that might be abandoned after Saturday anyway. Overall, this is the first internationally capped player to have even bothered to come to visit City since August. How exactly is he worse than Jordan? He would have to be less than 50% fit to be as slow at running as Jordan. The only other candidate for left back mentioned this season was Billy Jones of Crewe. Now he is a midfield player who was made to play at left back to help out, and requested a transfer because he didn't like being stuck there. Is that better than an Italian international? What a joke this is.

Rob, South Stand Blue (23/01/2007 at 12:06)

Who are the 2 we have got in his position? I thought he was a left back? Jordan is, allegedly, a left back who is the other? CTID

Jesper, Denmark (23/01/2007 at 12:12)

Lol...just proves Pearce's tactical ineptitude, doesnt it? No wonder that nobody wants to join this club, since they're obviously asked to play out of position all the time. Even though we have been on a decent run, we still appear to look lost: Change of system, benching in-form players, getting new signings to play out of position, selling Thatcher and Reyna without having replacements ready, crowd decrease despite good form. Is JW taking notice? Surely he cant be pleased, let alone confident...

OB1, Transmancunia (23/01/2007 at 12:18)

Overweight and unfit, allegedly.

Napoleon, Manchester (23/01/2007 at 12:20)

Mark in Chester am I missing something here? Why is Coco the clown? Nice pun on his name yes but the real clown appears to be our manager does it not?

Gaz, Catterick (23/01/2007 at 12:22)

The state of our club was too laughable ... even for this clown !!!

Mike, Northstand (23/01/2007 at 12:31)

For all those who are quick to start kicking Pearce again, I spoke to a friend in Italy (Inter fan) and he said this guy is so full of himself, all he wants to do is party and chase the women. Sounds like a poor attitude to me !

Andy, Birmingham (23/01/2007 at 12:39)

The reason he was sent back was nothing to do with playing out of position or his footballing ability. Apparantly he turned up wearing oversized novelty boots, a Schmiekel like red nose, a wig and make up in a bid to show the City coaching staff that he was up for a laugh. SP didn't see it that way and told Coco: "I prefer my clowns to be a bit cuter", and gestured towards Stephen Jordan who'd just thrown a bucket of water over Nicky Weaver!

Edski Vega, Notts (23/01/2007 at 12:53)

Too much clowning around....

Juste Lovitte, France (23/01/2007 at 13:05)

Edski - good one - I can't stop laughing - how did you come up with that one - well done!!

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