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
Serious
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.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Praised by the manager
Major
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Difficult conversation with the manager
Moderate
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Manager broke a promise
Serious
Cause
Even an honest tone was resented given the strained relationship.
Contract talks stalled over squad status
Moderate
Cause
The wage was acceptable, but he wanted clearer first-team guarantees.
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.
Praised in a satisfied full-time talk
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Turned down the offered deal
Serious
Cause
He turned down the club's offer. The club's project did not match his ambition.
Left out of the matchday squad
Serious
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Rotated out for this match
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Manager trust is eroding
Moderate
Cause
The discussion focused on playing time. Staff had already warned him about this in the last few weeks.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Senses a managerial change coming
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
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.