The 33-year-old, who moved to Manchester City from Inter Milan in the winter in part to prove he was worth a place on the plane to South Africa, only discovered he was not in the 30-man preliminary group by watching the announcement on TV yesterday.

"I respect the choice," he told Canal+. "There are other players who can help, I do not doubt that.

"The only problem I have is in the context of our relationship. I've always had a healthy relationship with Raymond.

"I expected more candour, more contact - then I would have accepted it much more easily.

"Learning the decision like that - this lack of tact, the lack of class - it annoys me.

"Some coaches know how to do it, others do not."