Carlos Tevez has clarified his controversial decision to join Manchester City after a two-year spell at Manchester United, saying the move was motivated by revenge against Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Argentine headed to the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2009 following a two-year loan spell at United from West Ham. Despite a successful time at Old Trafford, where he scored 34 goals in 99 appearances, the two parties failed to agree on a permanent deal. Real Madrid reportedly came in for Tevez, but it was City that signed him for a British-record £47 million in 2009.
Revenge as Motivation
Tevez spent four years at United's rivals and managed 73 goals in 148 games. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents channel, the 42-year-old revealed exactly why he made the move across Manchester.
He said: "Look, I feel like I left a lot, uh, at both teams. But if you make me choose, let's say, uh, I had a great time at United. The other team, uh, City, for me, was like a revenge for for, how can I put it, uh, I didn't get back what I gave."
Broken Promises
A two-year loan is not common in football and was actually banned by FIFA in 2022, but Tevez was one of the few to complete such a move. Following some strong displays, he appeared destined to join United permanently, though that scenario did not play out, with Tevez revealing he spoke to Ferguson about his future but ultimately felt as though the manager did not keep his word.
He said: "They spoke to me. The two year... How do you say «en préstamo»? 'Loan' After, if you play well, pay the contract after one year. Fergie told me, 'Carlos, I'm going to pay out your contract and you're going to stay in Manchester'. The team went to a pre-season in Los Angeles."
"I remember this conversation with Fergie. He said 'I'm going to pay for Berbatov but don't worry, I'm going to buy you the thing and we'll do your contract'. For me, the Man United fans understand. You remember in the game the fans speaking to Ferguson. 'Fergie sign him. Sign him up, sign him up.'"
Feeling Sidelined
Reflecting on his final months at United, Tevez described the period as difficult, saying he felt he had given his heart to the club without receiving the same in return.
He said: "For me it was... It was hard Rio. It was hard because I felt like I'd given my heart to United. And I didn't feel the same. I didn't feel the same because, uh, if you remember, we won the Champions League. We won the league and, and then, to bring down my price, they brought in a player and I carried on the same way for the first months."
"The second months, let's say, of the second year. But by the second, the second month, I didn't want to know any more. I think that Ferguson had, from the day we talked in Los Angeles up to six months to keep his word. And he didn't. On the contrary, he started leaving me on the bench. In my head. He started pushing me aside so he could bring down what I was worth. And that's what hurt me the most."
The full interview is available on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel from 8.00 UK time on Thursday 29 October.
