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23rd Aug 2014

Giovanni Trapattoni offers advice to Mario Balotelli ahead of move to Liverpool

It's quotes like these that make us miss the former Ireland manager.

Tony Cuddihy

Quotes like these make us miss the former Ireland manager.

Giovanni Trapattoni has told Mario Balotelli that he is ‘an uncontrollable horse’ who needs to make the most of his impending move to Liverpool or risk his career just passing him by.

The 24-year-old striker is currently completing the formalities of a switch to Anfield and Trapattoni feels he knows the kind of character Brendan Rodgers will be dealing with.

“I have worked with [Antonio] Cassano, who is like Balotelli,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Mario strikes me from a human point of view.

“When I see a guy cry, you understand that they have the important things on the inside.

“A coach should never stop talking to those who have a sensitive soul. I did this until nighttime when my players went into their rooms.

“It was right way to deal with champions like [Michel] Platini, or [Zbigniew] Boniek.

“For a coach it is essential to manage the relationships within a group and with a man like Balotelli.”

Trap was then asked to give some advice to Balotelli ahead of the move.

“Dear Mario, remember you are a horse with uncontrollable desires. You have class, enthusiasm and contractual power.

“Don’t spoil this moment of your life. A footballer’s career is short, and the right train might pass, one, two or three times. Not thousands.

“Then you suddenly find yourself old and forgotten. There is only one person who can help… Balotelli.”