Balotelli reveals why Vieira disagreement led to Nice departure in 2019

Former Italy striker Mario Balotelli has revealed that a disagreement over tactics with former Juventus and Inter midfielder and current Strasbourg coach Patrick Vieira led to his departure from Ligue 1 side OSG Nice back in 2019.

Balotelli scored more goals for Nice than for any of the 11 clubs he has represented during his career, with 43 from 76 matches in all competitions across a two-and-a-half year stay.

Among that tally was a 15-goal haul during his first season in Ligue 1, as well as a further 18 the season following.

He had joined in 2016 after an underwhelming return to the Premier League with Liverpool, but left half way through his third season in Ligue 1 in order to join Olympique de Marseille on a short-term deal until the end of the 20118-19 campaign.

What Balotelli said about Vieira

In a recent interview with SO Foot, Balotelli revealed that Vieira’s style of play was not best suited to his qualities, which led him to look for opportunities elsewhere.

“I lived in Villefranche, and it was crazy. I was smiling every day, I went to the sea every day. It was a dream life.”

“The problem was that the way Vieira played didn’t really suit me. I got along well with him, but on sporting matters, I didn’t agree. If I hadn’t had these problems with him, I would never have left Nice,” Balotelli explained.

Vieira was appointed at Nice in June 2018, just before Balotelli’s final season with the club.

Balotelli’s most productive years came under Lucien Favre between 2016 and 2018, before the Swiss coach left to take up a job in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.