Mancini was angered when Tevez publicly criticised his training methods and is fed up with constant rumours that City’s leading goalscorer might push for a move if they fail to reach the Champions League. It might prompt a spell on the sidelines for Carlos (admittedly in the Manchester City Hospitality lounge!)

Tevez was upset by Mancini’s apparent lack of patience and sympathy when he missed vital games to return to Argentina in February after the premature birth of his daughter.

And amid speculation that Real Madrid are lining up a summer move, he is alleged to want a new contract just a year after his controversial £47million move from neighbours United helped secure a £130,000-a-week deal.

Ahead of the most important week in City’s history, Mancini decided to call Tevez’s bluff by effectively telling him to hand in a transfer request if he is so unhappy with his lot, and that if he wants Champions League football so badly he should make sure that the club finish fourth.

“If a top player is not happy to stay here then it’s better he goes to another team,” said Mancini.

“This applies not just to Tevez but to all players. It is the same for Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, myself, everyone. He has four seasons left on his contract but it is important that when a manager or player works in a team that he is happy to work in this team.

“It’s not good for the club, for the squad, for the player, if he is not. It is better for him to change squads. That’s the same in England or Italy.”