Brian Kidd has dealt with a number of star players with unique personalities during his career as the assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, helping develop Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Roy Keane into the United team.
Now as an assistant at Manchester City, he has a new challenge to undertake in getting temperamental prodigy Mario Balotelli to settle into City's team - taking on a task that Jose Mourinho opted to discard at Inter Milan.
Brian Kidd has pleaded for understanding as Mario Balotelli tries to combat the destructive power of homesickness.
In the way of his hat-trick against Aston Villa on Tuesday, the Manchester City striker attempted to play down claims that he is unhappy in the north-west and wants to return to Italy.
Yet manager Roberto Mancini acknowledged the 20-year-old does miss his home comforts in Milan, which presumably explains Balotelli's frequent return journeys, and speculation linking him with a transfer to AC Milan, who finally look ready to challenge for the Serie A title.
After scoring eight times in 11 appearances for the Eastlands outfit, it is hardly a surprise to discover City are not eager for Balotelli to go anywhere, even if his failure to celebrate goals is driving Mancini to distraction.
Assistant-manager Kidd feels there has to be some recognition of Balotelli's plight. A multi-million pound footballer he may be, but Balotelli is also human.
"There has to be an empathy towards players," said Kidd.
"When they do feel this homesickness you don't brow beat them all the time.
"The players have been very good with Mario too. There is an understanding there.
"Everyone tends to look at the materialistic side of things but it is never easy."
Contrary to Balotelli's image, which paints the picture of a lazy, disaffected young man, Kidd reports a striker who is eager for work and popular in the dressing room.
"Mario is working hard in training and all the lads were genuinely pleased for him when he got his hat-trick," said Kidd.
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