Their personalities have rubbed against each other for a while now. It played out behind the dressing-room door, away from the cameras.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Moderate
Cause
He cannot continue in his current tactical role. Manager trust is high — he expects a fair hearing. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Praised by the manager
Major
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Window closed with no move
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Stage: the bid was rejected. It became public after the bid was rejected. It would be a lateral move. A bid has already been rejected. He remains focused on the current job.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. It would be a lateral move. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. He remains focused on the current job.
Changed the match from the bench
Moderate
Cause
He came on with the team chasing a result and produced the moment that swung the game.
Reassured by the manager's half-time message
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Criticised in a full-time post-mortem
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Their personalities have rubbed against each other for a while now. It played out behind the dressing-room door, away from the cameras.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Manager kept a promise
Moderate
Cause
The discussion was a follow-up on a previous promise.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Moderate
Cause
His relationship with the manager has soured. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.