SAF handled Alan Smith, so yes he could, I would love to see him here, and if it doesnt work out move him along.

MegK:

but yesterday at ½ time when he was being treated on the pitch the only player to stop and see if he was okay was an Arsenal player.

i noticed this too. haha. thought it was funny that they all just walked passed.

Deep down Balotelli is a nice guy. He is just part of a new breed of super rich pampered players who can afford to retire after a few years and live comfortably for the rest of their lives. He knows he will get football regardless of the team he plays for. When we say Rooney plays like a boy having fun with his friends in the park it is the same for Mario. He plays for himself and sees it as a team game second.

He is a very good player that needs the right people around him. If he cut out the bad tackles and childish attitude he could be a serious contender for personal awards against players like Messi and Ronaldo in a few years time. Leaving City and stepping away from the English media for a couple of years will help. He needs to keep his head down and live up to expectations.

I've read a few articles about him in the past saying that off the pitch he is a really nice guy etc..., but yesterday at ½ time when he was being treated on the pitch the only player to stop and see if he was okay was an Arsenal player. Still, maybe that says more about the team spirit or lack of it at City than it does about Balotelli.

To answer the OP's question - Yes, I think SAF is about the only manager who could've handled him, for a start after that tackle on Song he'd have pulled Balotelli off. At Utd he'd have had Rio, Giggs and Scholes to name just 3 to keep an eye on him, and more importantly to keep an eye out for him. SAF backs the players and the players back each other and that's the way it should be, but at Xmas it didn't stop SAF punishing Rooney and Evans over their night out and that's also the way it should be.

I think SAF will not buy TROUBLE in his team so the question of managing him doesn't arise!

LuisNani#17:

The boy is to quote GNev "a clown",

Gary Neville's full quote on Balotelli's sending off during commentary yesterday was the best I've heard live in years, went something like...

"...City is a circus and whenever I've been to a circus there's always a clown."

Absolute classic :D

Do you even know what you talking about?????????? SAF never had a hard time managing CR7, he actually loved him to bits and called him a `"professional". Just get your facts right or use other examples, will yuh??

No,not now.Back in the 90s i think he could have,but Fergie has gotten softer over the years.If Balotelli was here now,i think he would have been kicked out of the club.The guy has serious issues

Why on earth would SAF get rid of Morrison and his bad attitude and then spend millions buying it back in the form of Balotelli?

The child is an idiot.

When we were linked with Balotelli I really wanted us to sign him. The Sun even said we would sigh him in the next 24 hours. Shows the rubbish they make up just to sell papers. Looking back on it I am so glad that $hity wasted nearly 30 mill on him and not us. The boy is to quote GNev "a clown", if Jose couldn't coach him, I would say no coach can. Lets hope him and his "fireworks" never get anywhere near our sacred club. GGMU. On the way to CHAMP20NS!

He just wouldn't ever buy him. SAF looks as carefully at personality, temperament, how a player would fit in with the existing squad etc etc as he does at actual footballing ability. That's why our squad has such remarkable unity and discipline.

Busby3859:

I honestly think his troubling personality gets him publicity, which raises his profile and makes him out to be a better player than he actually is.

There's been alot over hyped, overrated players in the Premier League and in my opinion he's right up there.

I must disagree... he's really talented and skilled, but his mind is throwing it all away

well obviously we won't know cause we won't try

I honestly think his troubling personality gets him publicity, which raises his profile and makes him out to be a better player than he actually is.

There's been alot over hyped, overrated players in the Premier League and in my opinion he's right up there.

Jose said h e is unchangeable. Now Mancini made mention of this also in an interview. Why even worry about it, not even a player we should be considering, not worth the chance.