Hollywood couldn't write soap operas better than this!
The on-again-off-again, will-he-won't-he, will-they-won't they see-saw that has characterised every second of the Carlos Tevez and Manchester City saga since the renegade Argentinean forward reportedly refused to come on as a substitute during his club's Champions League game away to Bayern Munich.
That resulted in disciplinary hearings, accusations, counter-accusations, fines, suspensions, public spats and a general airing of dirty laundry in public.
Recently reports suggested City's manager, Roberto Mancini, was willing to forgive and forget (if Tevez was ready to apologise) and re-instate the player to first-team action. At the time, incidentally, Tevez was on AWOL in Argentina, with his family, playing golf every day.
All seemed rosy... so Tevez and co. packed their bags and set course for Manchester, when a third (fourth? fifth?) spat broke out.
You see... on Monday, in a Fox Sports Latin America interview, Tevez claimed Mancini treated him "like a dog". Hardly the best way to make up with your employers... especially when you're due to arrive at your club's training grounds in the next few days.
Predictably, City's hierarchy was considerably less than impressed. Mancini was not present when Tevez arrived at the training ground.
Check out these photographs of Tevez and his family at Manchester airport on Feb. 14...
Argentine soccer player Carlos Tevez sits in a car with his family after arriving at Manchester Airport February 14, 2012. Manchester City's rebel striker Carlos Tevez left Argentina for England on Monday taking manager Roberto Mancini's olive branch with one hand and hurling an accusation he was treated "like a dog" with the other. The 28-year-old is heading back to the Premier League club that he has not played for since September after defying Italian Mancini's instruction to warm up during the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.ReutersArgentine soccer player Carlos Tevez arrives at Ezeiza airport with his wife Vanesa Mansillo, and daughters Katie and Florencia (R), to board a plane to Paris, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires February 13, 2012. Tevez, who has been in Argentina on unauthorised leave from his club Manchester City since last November, is due back in England on Tuesday and could be back playing in the "next two to three weeks" following a thawing in relations with the club, an advisor to his representative said on MondayReutersArgentine soccer player Carlos Tevez holds his daughter Katie as he and his family pass through passport control to board a plane to Paris, in Ezeiza airport on the outskirts of Buenos Aires February 13, 2012. Tevez, who has been in Argentina on unauthorised leave from his club Manchester City since last November, is due back in England on Tuesday and could be back playing in the "next two to three weeks" following a thawing in relations with the club, an advisor to his representative said on Monday.ReutersArgentine soccer player Carlos Tevez waits in the check-in line with his wife Vanesa Mansillo (L), and daughters Katie and Florencia (in red), to board a plane to Paris, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires February 13, 2012. Tevez, who has been in Argentina on unauthorised leave from his club Manchester City since last November, is due back in England on Tuesday and could be back playing in the "next two to three weeks" following a thawing in relations with the club, an advisor to his representative said on Monday.ReutersArgentina's soccer player Carlos Tevez holds his daughter Katia as he arrives at Manchester Airport, February 14, 2012. Manchester City's rebel striker Carlos Tevez left Argentina for England on Monday taking manager Roberto Mancini's olive branch with one hand and hurling an accusation he was treated "like a dog" with the other. The 28-year-old is heading back to the Premier League club that he has not played for since September after defying Italian Mancini's instruction to warm up during the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.Reuters
