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.
His club is fighting to avoid relegation
Serious
Cause
The points gap to safety, with matches running out, is the issue.
Left out of the matchday squad
Major
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. The message was about confidence as much as performance — his morale had been low.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.