A Premier League star has been sent home from international duty after an apparent bust-up with his coach after he was seemingly annoyed at being left on the bench
A Premier League star has been sent home from international duty after an apparent bust-up with his coach.
Footage appeared on social media of Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri angrily confronting a member of the coaching staff while he was on the bench during Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Zambia on Friday (September 25).
Ait-Nouri was less than impressed after being left on the bench, and a team-mate attempted to calm him down as he was seen remonstrating with a coach. The Algerian Football Federation has since confirmed he has been released from the squad and will head back to City.
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A statement read: “The national coach, Mr Brahim Hemdani decided this Saturday to release the player Rayan Ait-Nouri from the current training camp of the national team. The Algerian international will return to his club, Manchester City.”
The full-back is also struggling for minutes in the domestic scene with City – having made just two appearances for this season, with only one of those coming in the starting side.
His start came in City’s 5-0 win over the Norwich in the Carabao Cup, while he also made a 15-minute cameo in the Champions League against Porto.
Ait-Nouri had been at the centre of a sensational Transfer Deadline Day rumour that he could make the switch across the city to Manchester United.
Michael Carrick’s team made eleventh-hour deadline day contact with City regarding a potential transfer for the left-back, but the Blues are refusing to entertain any approach and the Algerian international will remain at the Etihad.
The 25-year-old only arrived at City last summer in a £36million switch from Wolves and despite his limited game time, the Blues showed zero interest in parting ways with the defender.