Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini appears to have scapegoated the club's football administrator Brian Marwood over the club's lack of activity in the transfer market this summer.
Astonishingly City, bankrolled by the Abu Dhabi United Group, have not bought a single player in the close season, with captain Vincent Kompany signing a six-year contract their most notable piece of business.
In the 2011 summer transfer window Mancini spent £77m on six players and he didn't hide his unhappiness at City not strengthening their Premier League-winning squad.
"I'm not happy. I don't know what to say," the Italian admitted at his press conference ahead of Sunday's Community Shield fixture with Chelsea at Villa Park.
"Talk with Marwood, please," he added sternly, before refusing to dwell on the transfer issues at the Eastlands.
Mancini, 47, hinted at his discontent last week when he predicted the Citizens would not sign Arsenal striker Robin van Persie. He has previously praised the Dutchman on several occasions but today reaffirmed his belief he would not join City.
"Van Persie is not our player," the former Inter coach stressed. "He is an Arsenal or United player.
"These questions you should ask other people. I don't know what I can say. After three or four months... nothing."
Tensions between Mancini and Marwood, who played for Arsenal and was capped once by England during a 15-year career, have been simmering over the past few weeks.
The Manchester Evening News quoted a City spokesman effectively admitting friction existed between the duo when he claimed: "It is the sort of thing that goes on at all football clubs".
Mancini also revealed he had rejected a number of bids for countryman Mario Balotelli during the summer.