Noel Gallagher Says Pep Guardiola Has A Massive Job On His Hands At Manchester City

Manchester City superfan Noel Gallagher has told talkSPORT this season will be a ‘massive failure’ if the Blues fail to qualify for next year’s Champions League.

It’s been a disastrous end of the season for outgoing manager Manuel Pellegrini, with City bowing out of the Champions League semi-final in pathetic fashion against Real Madrid, while their Premier League top four hopes have also crumbled in recent weeks.

A slide in results, claiming just one win in four games, means Man City now need West Ham to beat Manchester United on Tuesday night to keep their chances alive.

If United win their final two games of the season, City - who only have one more game to play -  win finish fifth.

And Gallagher joined the Sports Bar on Monday night to vent his fury and frustration with the team.

“If we end up failing to qualify for the Champions League, this season will be a massive failure - even though we won the League Cup,” the English rock legend and High Flying Birds frontman told talkSPORT.

“The fact a top four place is not in our hands is unfathomable.

“It’s an absolutely disgrace that City are waiting on West Ham to do us a favour against Manchester United.

"And Leicester are 17 points in front of us – that’s just insane!

“We’re in big trouble here, because if we don’t qualify for the Champions League, how are we going to attract the players who are rumoured to be coming?

“There’s talk of big players coming in the summer, and if they all want to play in the Champions League, are they going to come?

“Pep has a massive job on his hands.”

Pellegrini had the chance to end his reign at the club with glory, after guiding City to their first ever Champions League semi-final.

But, despite playing in what was arguably the biggest game in the club’s history, the Blues’ stars failed to turn up – registering just one shot on target as Real won 1-0 to progress to the final against Atletico Madrid.

And Gallagher has plenty to say about that, too.

“I was out there in Madrid and the whole thing was just so disappointing, the two legs were really deflating,” he added. “To not muster a shot on target was a pretty damning statistic.

“I was walking out of the Bernabeu thinking, ‘I would have rather got beat 5-0’.

“If a manager like Mourinho, Klopp or Mancini was on the touchline instead of Pellegrini, would the team have mustered a bit more fight? I think they would have. I’m looked over at the manager during the game, and he’s  stood with his hands in his pockets and I’m just thinking, ‘come on man!’

“Who wants to get to the semi-final of the Champions League and finish fifth in the Premier League? No one!

“I would have rather gone out in the last-16 and finished third.”

Listen to the full interview here.

Source: talksport.com

Roberto Mancini On Being Kissed By Liam Gallagher

Roberto Mancini received a big kiss on the mouth from rocker Liam Gallagher when he led Manchester City to its first ever Premier League title back in 2012.

City famously denied rivals Manchester United the trophy when Sergio Aguero struck an injury-time winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2011/12 campaign.

And Mancini revealed how huge City fan Liam of Oasis-fame surprised him with a kiss on the mouth for his part in the historic moment.

"Winning the Premier League changed the history of Manchester City," Mancini said.

"When I was in my office after the decisive game, Liam Gallagher from Oasis came in. He's a big fan of City and he gave me a big kiss on the mouth. I didn't have time to react!"

Source: www.ballball.com

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Noel Gallagher Is 'Starting To Believe In God' After Man City Success

Noel Gallagher said Manchester City's current form - and rivals Manchester United's struggles - is starting to make him believe in God ahead of the Capital One Cup final against Sunderland on Sunday.

Gallagher has been following City for over 40 years and claims he still can't believe the Citizens rise to prominence.

Indeed, City's rise coupled with Manchester United's struggles under David Moyes have given Gallagher reason to reconsider his religious views.

He said: "We'll never get used to this and we'll never get blaze about it.

"It's a great thing that's happened and none of us ever thought we would live to see the day that there was a thought that we could compete for any trophy, let alone all the trophies.

"It's just a wonderful thing and to cap it all off, this year United are rubbish.

"I take it as a message from God and if you're listening God, I am starting to believe."

Gallagher added that he was delighted to see Argentine forward Sergio Aguero back in the starting line-up to take on the Black Cats, saying: "We're easily a 20 per cent better fan when he's in the side."

And Gallagher also suggested he was enjoying City's style of play under Manuel Pellegrini after three years under Roberto Mancini.

He told BBC Five Live: "We played with an Italian manager for three years and now we have a Spanish mentality.

"When we played under Mark Hughes even though we had different players, we played with a British mentality. It's quite amazing."

Source: www.express.co.uk

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Noel Gallagher: I’m Gutted AVB Has Been Sacked By Tottenham!

Legendary musician Noel Gallagher has admitted Tottenham’s decision to sack Andre Villas-Boas has left him gutted.

The former Oasis star also discussed Manchester City’s enthralling 6-3 victory over Arsenal and looks at how Manuel Pellegrini has turned things around at the club follow a disappointing campaign under Roberto Mancini last year.

Gallagher also talked about the Blues’ Champions League draw after it was revealed they would face Barcelona in the last-16 of the competition.

And he spreads his substantial Christmas cheer…

Click here to listen to the interview.

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Watch Beady Eye's Interview With Absolute Radio

Liam Gallagher and his band Beady Eye speak to Pete Donaldson at the iconic Abbey Road Studios ahead of their exclusive acoustic session for us there.

Liam talks about that hat incident involving Idris Elba, he hints he'd be up for a judging role on The X Factor and says he was shocked when his beloved Manchester City sacked manager Roberto Mancini.

Click here to watch the video.

Liam Gallagher Brands Roberto Mancini's Sacking 'Insane'

The Beady Eye musician expressed his sadness at the dismissal in light of his past triumphs, including a first ever Premier League title, but conceded he was not surprised

Manchester City fan Liam Gallagher has branded the decision to sack manager Roberto Mancini as "insane".

The former Oasis and current Beady Eye star had been a strong advocate of City keeping the Italian despite watching the club relinquish the Premier League title to rivals Manchester United before being beaten by Wigan in the FA Cup final.

Mancini was sacked 48 hours after their Wembley loss, a year to the day after securing a first title in 44 years, with Manuel Pellegrini revealing he is due to hold talks with the Etihad Stadium outfit about succeeding the Italian - and Gallagher expressed his sadness at the former Inter manager's dismissal.

"I am [sad to see him go]," Gallagher told Absolute Radio. "He won us the league for the first time in 40 years, got us the FA cup, got us in Europe loads of times, that’s just how it is these days, isn’t it?

"This time last year, we were champions and now the guy’s been sacked.

"It’s just insane, man, the world’s gone mad. But that’s what happens if you don’t keep on top of your s***."

Listen to Beady Eye's interview in full on Absolute Radio on Thursday from 9pm.

Source: www.goal.com

Video: Noel Gallagher On Roberto Mancini's Sacking

Massive Manchester City fan Noel Gallagher has told Absolute Radio's Tania Snuggs that he was 'shocked' at the recent sacking of manager Roberto Mancini saying 'it was a bit harsh,' at the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting, in central London.

Noel Gallagher I Thought Sacking Roberto Mancini Was Harsh

Former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher has hit out at Manchester City's decision to sack manager Roberto Mancini.

The Italian oversaw Premier League triumph last season and also brought the FA Cup to the Etihad Stadium in2011, the club's first major trophy in 34 years, but was fired on Monday after failing to meet his targets for the campaign.

"He obviously didn't get on with a lot of people but I thought it was harsh," Gallagher told Absolute Radio at the Ivor Novello Awards.

"I think they should have given him another year. I was shocked, I've got to say."

The outspoken Mancunian, who in in July 2012 launched the club's new kit, added: "When you own the club and you've got to go you've got to go and that's it.

"He obviously didn't get on with a lot of people but I was a bit shocked.

"[Manuel] Pellegrini seems to have got the job," he concluded of the Chilean, who is expected to be unveiled at the Etihad Stadium before long.

Source: herefordtimes.com

Noel Gallagher On Roberto Mancini's Sacking As Manchester City Manager

Noel Gallagher makes his latest appearance on talkSPORT to give his reaction to Roberto Mancini's sacking as Manchester City manager.

Mancini, who led City to the Premier League title last season and FA Cup success in 2011, was shown the door on Monday after failing to win a trophy this term.

"Having won the Premier League and the FA Cup, he probably deserved another crack at it, but reading some of the stuff in the papers it would seem like he has lost the dressing room," said Gallagher.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Gallagher Brothers United As Liam And Noel Want City To Stick With Mancini

Oasis brothers united as Liam and Noel want City to stick with Mancini despite Cup defeat

The Gallagher brothers may have been at odds for years but there is one thing Liam and Noel can agree on and that is that Roberto Mancini should remain as manager of their beloved Manchester City.

The former Oasis pair were both at Wembley – separately - to watch City lose the FA Cup final to Wigan and put on record their support for Mancini.

The Italian's days at City looked numbered after it was reported over the weekend that Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini was being lined up at the Etihad.

But both Gallagher brothers want to see Mancini remain at the club.

Speaking before the final, Beady Eye frontman Liam told ESPN: ‘I think Mancini should stay. Mancini has won us the league for the first time in 40 years, as well as The FA Cup.

‘I’m not into this [idea of] getting rid of people, you need some consistency, so I’m all for Mancini.

And older brother Noel seemed to be singing from the same song sheet as he backed Mancini to stay after the defeat by Wigan.

He told FA TV: ‘What really annoys me is losing gives every justification for Mancini to lose his job. It gives people a reason to do it, which is a shame because I think he should stay.’

Before the game Noel had been full of confidence, boldly predicting that City could win with eight men with either Sergio Aguero or Carlos Tevez netting a hat-trick.

He said: ‘We should beat this lot with eight men and I think we are going to see a hat-trick today, either Carlos or Aguero.’

But by the end of the game Gallagher Snr was full of praise for Wigan after their win, saying: ‘Fair play to them for sticking at it. I thought they would blow out after 75 minutes, so respect for them for going for it.

'It sums up our season really, we were 20-odd goals short in league and we could not stick it in the back of the net today.’

Click here to see a number of pictures.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Noel Gallagher: Manchester City Have Missed Yaya Toure

Manchester City supporter Noel Gallagher said on Sports Bar that his side have not got the same mentality they had last season.

The musician reflected on Sunday’s 2-2 draw between the Blues and Liverpool.

Gallagher added that Roberto Mancini's men gave possession away to the Anfield side and that the Merseysiders were unlucky not to win the encounter.

The former Oasis star also admitted that the Premier League champions have missed midfielder Yaya Toure while he has been away at the African Cup of Nations.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Noel Gallagher On Manchester City's Trip To Arsenal And Lionel Messi's Fashion Sense

Rock 'n' roll legend Noel Gallagher joined Andy Goldstein and Michael Gray to talk hangovers, Lionel Messi's fashion sense and his beloved Manchester City.

City take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and a defeat, coupled with a Manchester United win over Liverpool, would see Roberto Mancini's men fall ten points behind in the Premier League title race.

"It's pivotal weekend. If United win and we lose, it's pretty much done and dusted," said Gallagher.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Source: www.talksport.co.uk

Noel Gallagher: Roberto Mancini Is A Magician!

Manchester City fan Noel Gallagher, claims Roberto Mancini always knows which substitutions to make.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Noel Gallagher: Roberto Mancini Must Take The Blame For Ajax Defeat

Manchester City fan, Noel Gallagher, tells the Sports Bar why Blues boss should take fall for 3-1 loss in Amsterdam last week.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds have released International Magic Live At The O2 DVD through Sour Mash Records.

They are currently playing the US and Canada alongside Snow Patrol and Jake Bugg.

For details on the above and more click here.

Noel Gallagher On On The NFL And More

In the video for his new single, “Dream On,” Noel Gallagher plays a boxing official refereeing a live fight. Some might say that the former Oasis songwriting genius always has sports on his mind.

“Other than my wife and kids, it’s one thing I’m most interested in. But does sport ever influence my songwriting? Not really,” says Gallagher.

That said, Noel is very in tune with his hometown soccer club, Manchester City, as they spar with rival Manchester United for the Barclays Premier League title. Last month, Gallagher even interviewed Man City striker Mario Balotelli for BBC Sport, talking with the star about the club’s rise and the manager, Roberto Mancini.

“He’s great, the man for the job,” says Gallagher, of Mancini who has led City to an undefeated home record this season. “The last few games haven’t been a great end to the season but we’ll see.”

As of April 16, Man City sat in second place, five points behind United with four left to play this season.

Gallagher’s High Flying Birds kicked off their 2012 US tour March 28 in Washington, D.C. The North American Tour, which features intimate venues, included a stop last weekend at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival near Palm Springs, Calif., and wraps up this week with stops in San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Compared to his Oasis days, Noel's part as vocalist gives touring a fresh, different feel.

“Well, the gigs aren’t as big. That’s the main thing. But the atmosphere is better, more comfortable,” he said. Still, Noel admits that being the band’s frontman on tour, and not just playing guitar, is an adjustment.

But through it all -- the breakup of Oasis in 2009 and the new venture with High Flying Birds -- Gallagher has stayed true to his music and his love of sports. And being in the U.S. will give him a chance to experience the other kind of football up close.

“I love the NFL. I don’t have a team per se, but I’m into it” Gallagher said. “NFL comes on late night in the UK when I’m up. I love the color and energy of it all. There’s so many things going on in American Football. It took me a while to get it, but I like it a lot.”

Source: espn.go.com

Noel Gallagher On Mancini, Fergie, Scholes And Barmy Balotelli

Legendary Man City fan gives us his verdict on an amazing season for the north-west giants in an exclusive interview with Andy and Jason.

Gallagher insists City have come "super close" to winning the Premier League, but admits it may have been his team's best chance given that he expects their rivals to strengthen in the summer.

He also believes Roberto Mancini will stay at Eastlands - unless Jose Mourinho decides to leave Real Madrid - and says Mario Balotelli shouldn't take all the blame for City's failings.

And, credit where credit's due, he pays tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Scholes, claiming those two have been among the key factors in the title race.

To listen to the interview click here.

Video: Noel Gallagher Interview With Mario Balotelli For Football Focus

Watch the full Football Focus interview here as Noel Gallagher meets enigmatic City striker Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli dispells a few of the myths that have built up around him, and chats about his childhood and life under Italian coach Roberto Mancini.

Noel Gallagher: "Forget About Me, Balotelli's The Real Rock Star"

We want to believe this kid goes into petrol stations and buys everyone a full tank.

The BBC had been trying to get hold of Mario Balotelli to do a TV interview with him for quite a while. But he doesn't do TV interviews because he doesn't like journalists. And they kept going back to him and he kept saying no.

But I've been on tour and I've been dedicating a song What a Life to him every night. It's amazing the reaction that it gets, all around the world. People love him. It starts off with booing because he's a City player, but it turns into cheers because he's a modern day rock-star.

And he'd heard of this and he said if he was going to do an interview he'd only do it with me. So they asked me to do it, and I cleared my schedule. Too right, I'll do that for a laugh.

I spent an hour with the lad, he was quite shy. You could tell he's got a bit of the devil in him. He seems to be very much unaware of why people would make a fuss about him. He seemed very interested as to why I would dedicate a song to him. He's like all naturally talented people: he's not got a clue what he's doing.

I can only liken it to this: I was born with a natural gift for music. And I've never had a lesson in my life, I was never taught to play the guitar, or any musical instrument, and I can play half a dozen of them. I was never taught how to write or sing or anything.

And when people ask me to teach them to play the guitar, I'm at a loss, because it just comes to me. I haven't got a clue what I'm doing when I do it. And when I meet other songwriters, and they talk to me about my songwriting, they might as well be talking French. Because I don't understand any of this, I just do it. And it's like that for him.

I was asking about his penalties, and he just shrugged his shoulders the way that he does when he scores. I asked him about the stoppage-time penalty against Tottenham: The league title's on the line, you're 21, and in a new country, why did you grab the ball? "Because I always score." But what about the senior players? Sergio Aguero and Gareth Barry, did they not make a move? "No, because they see me in training every day, and I never miss." He said that he regularly puts 10 out of 10 past Joe Hart.

I asked him what was going through his mind with his "Why Always Me?" T-shirt in the derby at Old Trafford, the day after he nearly burnt his house down with fireworks. "I got up, and I read the papers, and I knew I was going to score a hat-trick". But you only got two? "That's because Mancini took me off, if he'd kept me on I'd have scored a hat-trick." And I believe him. So I asked him about "Why Always Me?" And he said it was a message to the press: "Why are you so interested in me?"

I go all over the world and all over Britain, and my one topic of conversation – if it's not music – is football: with black-cab drivers, people in pubs and so on. And everyone loves Balotelli. Everybody in England, even Man United fans, they all love him. And that's fascinating for him. I'd love him if he played for United. At the interview he asked a question: "Why do you love me so much?" And my answer was five minutes long, and he was laughing all the way through. I don't think he could quite fathom what all the fuss is about.

But it's the goal with the shoulder, the penalties, the bits on YouTube where he nicks Aguero's gloves in the warm-up, all that kind of thing. He's young enough for it to be all innocent. And he shows flashes of sheer brilliance.

So I asked him about the rumours, we listed them all. Unfortunately 90 per cent of them are bollocks, but there's a grain of truth in them all. I told him he was killing me, because we want them all to be true. We want a footballer to be going around giving £1,000 to a homeless person, because it's just cool. We don't want professional footballers to be like Michael Owen or Ashley Cole, people that think the world owes them something. We want to believe that this kid goes into petrol stations and buys everyone a full tank of petrol. Not because that's what they should do, but because footballers are young and they should behave young.

My favourite Balotelli story is the magic tricks. One day he was wandering through the Trafford Centre minding his own business, as if he could do, like a modern-day Mr T. And there's a guy doing magic, and he asked if he could teach him some magic. The guy said, "No, I don't teach magic." So Mario went home, pondered it, and thought, "I'm not having that", so he went back to the Trafford Centre and said to the bloke, "teach me these magic tricks". The guy said, "No, there's too many people here." So Mario took him in his car, back to his house for dinner, and the guy showed him magic over dinner. That's where he learnt the tricks.

He's not arsed about the money, where he is, who he's playing, none of it. He does have a great affection for Roberto Mancini. He said the only reason that he's in Manchester is because of Mancini, they obviously have a bond. I think he loves the fans, because for all the times he's been sent off the fans have never turned on him. I asked him what he wanted to achieve in football, and he just wants to be the best player in the world. But I'm not sure he knows how to go about that. He's just a force of nature.

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Mario Balotelli Tells Noel Gallagher He Needs To Mature

In a BBC exclusive interview with musician Noel Gallagher, Manchester City's Mario Balotelli admits he has to grow up.

Watch a short part of the interview here.

The Italian striker has been involved in a number of controversial incidents since joining City in August 2010.

When told boss Roberto Mancini wanted him to mature, Balotelli said: "If Mancini says something, he's right."

The forward added: "But I'm 21, so I'm still young. I think from last year, already I'm bigger [older] in my head."

Balotelli was fined a week's wages after breaking a curfew ahead of City's 2-0 win over Bolton at the weekend.

And he was disciplined by City for throwing a dart at a youth team player in March 2011.

Firefighters were also called to the forward's detached house in Cheshire in October when his bathroom was set alight by fireworks.

But the Italy international has also hit the spotlight for positive reasons, notably when he convinced a bullied truant to return to school before giving the antagonists a telling-off.

He has also substituted in a pre-season friendly for showboating, had a bust-up in training with Micah Richards, and wandered into a Manchester school to look for a toilet.

Balotelli rarely gives interviews but agreed to speak to former Oasis man Gallagher, a City fan and self-confessed admirer of the player, for the BBC's Football Focus.
He told Gallagher he is happy in England and said Mancini, who coached him at Inter Milan, was a major reason he decided to join City, for a reported fee of around £20m.

"If Mancini wasn't here, I never come here," said Balotelli, who was born in Sicily to Ghanaian immigrants. "But now that I'm here, I'm OK, I'm happy."

Balotelli, who began his career with Serie C side Lumezzane, added that he was a "really private" person and said he could not understand why being seen about Manchester caused such excitement in the media.

"I don't like when people talk about my business or my life," he said. "I'm really private. Maybe someone thinks I'm arrogant or something but it is just me.

"I don't care, they can say what they want. I just walk in town like a normal guy. I go to the pub. Not to drink."

Balotelli has become one of many influential players for City, who currently top the Premier League.

He has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, finding the net in each of City's last three league games.

With 11 matches to go, City, who take on Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday, are two points ahead of neighbours Manchester United.

Ahead of the game against Sporting, Mancini confirmed Balotelli has been fined a week's wages for breaking curfew.

He also warned Balotelli and the rest of the City squad that they needed to think about their actions before matches.

"I've spoken with Mario and given him a one-week fine for what he did," said the City boss.

"It's a no-no. Every player should have good behaviour before the game."

Watch the full interview on Saturday's Football Focus at 1215 GMT on BBC One and this website.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Noel Gallagher Meets Mario Balotelli

"Hi Mario, I'm Dan Walker from the BBC".

"Hello... wait... BBC? Journalist?"

"Yes".

"I do not like you already".

That was the conversation that accompanied my first meeting with Mario Balotelli, the Italian enigma who has excited and baffled in equal measure since stepping on to these shores.

Singer Noel Gallager and I had been waiting for the striker at Manchester City's training ground. We had arrived nice and early and been given a tour by Patrick Vieira, who is near the top of my "nicest Frenchmen I've met" list. He's just behind the guy who gave me an extra "boule" of chocolate ice cream last summer.

After the tour Noel challenged me to a game of darts on the board outside the "player care" area. I asked if he wanted to play Killer but he was unfamiliar with the rules so we decided to go for the classic 501. That was swiftly abandoned after it became clear our remedial maths was holding up play significantly.

Eventually we settled on "around the world" (or "around the clock" in some parts) which, for those of you who don't know, rewards the dartist who hits every number in order first, starting at one and ending at 20. I got off to a flyer, reaching seven in my first nine darts while Noel was struggling - even landing one "arrar" dangerously close to the foam-surround protecting the precious wall.

Just as Noel was explaining that he was struggling because we were using a "cockney" dartboard and not a proper "Mancunian" one, our interviewee turned up.

The chat with Mario had taken the best part of five weeks to arrange. Balotelli simply does not talk publicly. As you will see when you watch the whole thing on Football Focus on Saturday, he has no time for the media. Manchester City are inundated with requests throughout the season but 99.9% of them are turned down because the player simply says "no".

It is odd for a footballer who rarely talks to be so captivating but Balotelli is not a normal footballer. Whether it is the rumours about dressing up as Santa Claus or paying for people's petrol, doing magic tricks for friends during a game, stamping on opponents, scoring with his shoulder, frequenting various nocturnal establishments, setting off fireworks or his "Why Always Me?" T-shirt, the man is a fascinating individual.

Like every other broadcaster in the known universe we had made several attempts to interview him throughout his time in England. About five weeks ago I called Manchester City's press department on the off-chance he had decided it was time to sit down in front of a camera. He hadn't.

Now it should be said that City are one of the most approachable, forward-thinking and accommodating clubs when it comes to player access. They are constantly doing things in the community, supporting charities and giving us the opportunity to talk to their highly paid stars. With that in mind, I went back to the club a few days later with a second proposal: What if we could get Noel Gallagher to do the interview? Again the answer was "No, I just don't think he's interested, but let me talk to Mario". This seemed like serious progress and a week or so later we were on the phone again.

"He'll do it," said the voice at the other end. "He likes Oasis and he'll talk to Noel... but only Noel". The only thing we had to do now was get Mario - who does not have a great track record when it comes to reliability - and Noel - the busiest man in showbusiness - together. Cue two weeks of conversations with agents, agencies, friends and friends of friends to find a suitable date and a suitable location.

The most important thing in our favour was that Gallagher loves Balotelli. He is currently on tour with High Flying Birds and dedicates a song to Mario each night. To Noel, Balotelli is a rock star who happens to wear a pair of shorts. Such was the former Oasis man's keenness to sit down with his favourite player that he was willing to change his entire schedule to get to Manchester last Friday.

I don't want to say too much about the interview other than that it was fascinating to watch. Balotelli comes across as a shy, slightly awkward individual, almost entirely unaware of the talent he has at his disposal and slowly coming to terms with the responsibility that accompanies his fame. When asked if he had a question for Noel at the end of the interview, he said: "Why do you like me so much?" He seemed baffled that someone could have that much affection for him. Noel's answer was about four minutes long!

You will hear him talk about Roberto Mancini, his own attitude, his need to mature, his goal celebrations, the return of Carlos Tevez, his background and his future in the game. Perhaps most interestingly of all, he deals with some of the many rumours and myths that accompany his activities in and around Manchester. Did he really attend mass on Christmas Eve and put £1,000 in the offering box? Did he take a bullied child back to school to deal with the oppressor? Does he drive around Manchester handing out money to onlookers and what is the real story behind the impromptu firework display at Balotelli Towers the night before the Manchester derby?

It is also worth saying that Mr Gallagher plays a sterling roll in all of this and brings the best out of the striker. There are a number of celebrities who "like" football because they feel it essential to their popularity, but Noel is a genuine supporter. Within minutes of meeting him, he was running through Vieira's career statistics and detailing where City had improved since the days of Danny Tiatto and Bob Taylor.

We will have a full-length interview with Noel coming up in a couple of weeks, but Saturday's Football Focus is all about Balotelli. I know it is easy to overhype these things but the stuff you will see was well worth the hundreds of phone calls, emails and logistical shenanigans it took to set up. I hope you enjoy it and don't forget you can always find me at twitter.com/danwalkerbbc

You'll be able to see Noel Gallagher's in-depth exclusive interview with Mario Balotelli on Saturday's Football Focus at 1215 GMT on BBC1.

See a picture of Noel and Mario here, and scroll down the page.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk