Incoming Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola gave his future ward Raheem Sterling some words of encouragement after the winger had allegedly lost much confidence following two lackluster stints with the England national team in the ongoing 2016 UEFA European Championship.
ESPN indicated that the new Man City mentor "contacted Raheem Sterling to assure him that he has a big future at the club" no matter his performance or the result of this summer's Euros. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder had recently received lots of disparagements from football analysts and fans on social media for his current play in the tournament and those comments said to have "dented" his confidence.
Guardiola reportedly called him via phone after the team's 2-1 group stage win over Wales when the 5-foot-7 Jamaica-born Englishman was replaced at the half.
"Pep told Raheem, 'As long as you work for me, I will fight for you,'" the report cited a source. "He said, 'Keep your head up. Don't worry. I know you are a good player and you are a big part of my plans.'"
Sterling joined the Citizens in July of last year after a dragged out and bitter exit from Liverpool for a fee of £49 million that made him one of the most disliked players in the English top flight in the most recent season. He was booed in virtually every away stadium he had played, which had gradually reduced his effectivity.
Meanwhile, The Guardian revealed that it was Guardiola himself who was responsible for the transfer of Sterling to City last summer despite still being Bayern Munich's head coach.
The report noted that "Guardiola had already been lined up to replace Manuel Pellegrini and City's owners are understood to have consulted him before making Sterling the most expensive English player in history".
In his first season at the Etihad, Sterling played way below his potential, scoring only six points in 31 appearances in the Premier League and 11 points in all competitions for Pellegrini.
England coach Roy Hodgson is said to be worried about his player's plummeting self-belief, but the manager is even more concerned about Sterling's unhealthy appetite for social media, which is allegedly one of the main reasons why his mind is being affected by all the criticisms.