145;Robinho146;s mental state made him quit146;

Robinho8217;s depressed mental state played a part in the decision to sell him to Manchester City, according to Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.

Robinho8217;s depressed mental state played a part in the decision to sell him to Manchester City, according to Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.

8220;The boy was in a terrible way,8221; Calderon told radio station Cadena SER late Monday. 8220;Robinho8217;s problem was worse than we believed. I spoke to him several times. When he spoke of his situation, he physically cried and asked to leave Spain. He was desperate.

8220;It is not Madrid8217;s aim to sell players. We must defend the club8217;s interests. The reasons in this case are both humane and sporting.8221;

Man City beat Chelsea to Robinho8217;s signing by agreeing to pay Madrid a British-record 32.5 million pound transfer fee.

8220;He wasn8217;t bothered about going to Manchester City,8221; Calderon said. 8220;His departure from Madrid wasn8217;t just due to sporting reasons, there is something else, which I can8217;t understand. You can8217;t keep anyone against their will at the club.8221;

Robinho had repeatedly spoken of his desire to join Chelsea, but City, boosted by a windfall from an imminent takeover by a United Arab Emirates business group, made a huge offer for the 24-year-old Brazil forward. Agreeing to a four-year contract, Robinho will reportedly earn 8.7 million a year 8212; about three times his Madrid salary.

8220;This Monday afternoon, Chelsea hadn8217;t said anything. Manchester made their bid at seven o8217;clock by fax. It was 49.3 million. And we reached 58 million, plus 2.9 million for objectives,8221; Calderon said.

First victim

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ALAN Curbishley became the first EPL manager to leave his job this season after resigning as West Ham manager on Wednesday. Curbishley endured a fraught spell at the club after saving them from relegation midway through the 2006-07 season, reportedly being denied funds for recent transfers and arguing with players.

United8217;s search ends

Manchester United ended a two-month search for a new assistant to manager Alex Ferguson by appointing former player Mike Phelan on Wednesday. The 45-year-old Phelan steps up from his role as first-team coach to replace Carlos Queiroz, who quit the Premier League champions to take charge of the Portugal national team.