Patrick Vieira has confirmed that Italy striker Mario Balotelli was absent from his first training session as Nice boss.
Nice began life on Monday morning under Vieira, who took charge of the French club for the first time.
However, the former Juventus midfielder was forced to tell a Press conference after the session that Balotelli had gone AWOL.
“We expected him at training today,” he explained.
Patrick Vieira has confirmed that Italy striker Mario Balotelli was absent from his first training session as Nice boss.
Nice began life on Monday morning under Vieira, who took charge of the French club for the first time.
However, the former Juventus midfielder was forced to tell a Press conference after the session that Balotelli had gone AWOL.
“We expected him at training today,” he explained.
“What’s certain is he wasn’t there and that [his absence] wasn’t planned. We’ll wait and see what happens.”
It comes despite Vieira asserting at his official unveiling that the 27-year-old would join up with the French side for preseason, while the former Inter and Milan attacker was spotted at a rap concert over the weekend.
Balotelli is available for transfer after his Nice contract expired, although a clause means the Ligue 1 side are still owed €10m by his next club.