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.
Stayed on the bench while Jon Bautista took the slot
Moderate
Chosen instead
Jon Bautista was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
Cause
His squad status would normally start, so the omission stings.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Manager trust is eroding
Moderate
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level. Staff had already warned him about this in the last few weeks.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Head coach left the club
Stayed on the bench while Jon Bautista took the slot
Minor
Chosen instead
Jon Bautista was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
Cause
His squad status would normally start, so the omission stings.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Stayed on the bench while Jon Bautista took the slot
Minor
Chosen instead
Jon Bautista was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
Cause
His squad status would normally start, so the omission stings.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.