Ex-Man City star fights back tears as makes feelings very clear on former club

Former Manchester City midfielder Vladimir Weiss held back the tears as he prepared for an emotional late career reunion with his old club.

The 34-year-old, now the captain of Slovakian title-winners Slovan Bratislava, will lead out his current side as they host City in a Champions League glamour clash on Tuesday. Weiss joined City as a teenager and won the FA Youth Cup in 2008 before graduating to their senior squad.

With the club then being transformed following the takeover by Sheikh Mansour, he made just three senior appearances before moving on in 2012 after loan spells at Bolton, Rangers and Espanyol. Yet as he now comes to the end of his career, City clearly retains a strong place in his heart.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Slovan’s first home match of the league phase, Weiss said: “I have great memories of City, it was a dream come true in all aspects.

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“I will be grateful all my life that I could grow up there. Leaving your family is difficult but it made me the way I am. It was an amazing achievement to break through to the first team at a young age with the players that were already in the squad.

“I’m always going to watch City, not just because it was my first club but because they play the best football in the world.”

As if that was not touching enough, Weiss was almost reduced to tears as he was then effectively asked to justify his continuing place in a side that is coached by his father, also named Vladimir.

Weiss, who is planning to retire at the end of the season, said: “I’ve always been honest and I know that my performances have not always been what I wish for, but it’s also because I’m getting older and trying to give everything I can to the team.”

Slovan are appearing in the competition proper for the first time after coming through four qualifying rounds. Coach Weiss Senior said: “We’re going to play one of the best teams in the world and we’re really excited. It’s a fairytale.”

Despite that buzz, Weiss admitted he had limited expectations against the 2023 winners, having been thrashed 5-1 at Celtic in their opener a fortnight ago. Asked about his team’s plan, he joked: “To survive!”

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