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.
Backed by the manager — the message was about confidence as much as form
Minor
Cause
The message was less about form and more about lifting his confidence. The message was about confidence as much as performance — his morale had been low.
Outlook
Manager trust should improve if this form continues.
Criticised for losing tactical discipline
Moderate
Cause
He drifted from the tactical instruction the manager had drilled in pre-match. His match rating of 6.2 weighed heavily in the talk.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Lifted by a passionate half-time team talk
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. He handles pressure well, which helped the moment land.
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. He handles pressure well, which helped the moment land.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Stage: shortlisted. The local press has carried the story. The link is speculative for now. The media noise around the link is building. He is irritated by the constant speculation.
Frustrated after the club rejected interest from RB Leipzig
Moderate
Cause
Stage: the bid was rejected. It became public after the bid was rejected. European competition opportunity A bid has already been rejected. He wants the club to listen if a serious bid arrives. It would be a clear sporting upgrade.