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.
Criticised by manager after poor performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Turned down the offered deal
Serious
Cause
He turned down the club's offer. The wage was below his expectations.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Praised in a satisfied full-time talk
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Criticised by manager after poor performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Criticised by manager after poor performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Wants to head back home
Serious
Cause
After a long, difficult settling period he is openly hoping for a move home or to a familiar club. (He still does not speak the local language.; His adaptability is low.)
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Still struggling to settle into the squad
Moderate
Cause
He has not yet made the connections that come naturally to most signings.
Dropped to the bench
Major
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Frustrated by his tactical role
Serious
Cause
A change in shape has shifted what is being asked of him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Criticised by manager after poor performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Criticised by manager after poor performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy
Serious
Cause
The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Dropped to the bench
Serious
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Hurt by being benched for a big match
Major
Cause
The manager left him out of the starting XI. in the title decider
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
The disagreement started because they judged training effort very differently. It played out on the training ground in front of the rest of the squad.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Dropped to the bench
Serious
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Serious
Cause
He has unresolved concerns over his contract. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Contract talks stalled over squad status
Moderate
Cause
The wage was acceptable, but he wanted clearer first-team guarantees.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Slipped out of the starting XI
Serious
Cause
He has fallen behind in the pecking order over the last few weeks.
Mounting media pressure on his form
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.