Santa Cruz facing uncertain future

Roque Santa Cruz says his Manchester City career is over and his future at on-loan club Malaga is in serious doubt beyond the end of this season.

The 31-year-old, who was signed from Blackburn for 17.5 million pounds in 2009, hardly featured at the Etihad Stadium but has rebuilt his reputation with a successful spell in southern Spain.

Santa Cruz said he bears no grudges over his treatment by City, who have previously loaned him out to Blackburn and Real Betis.

“At City I had an excellent relationship with the coach, first Mark Hughes and then Roberto Mancini, and with the club. I knew the situation when I arrived there,” he told Goal.com.

“Mancini was honest with me. I don’t blame anyone. They made big investments. I didn’t get to play much, but there’s no blame.

“During my season at Manchester City I wasn’t 100 percent right, physically. Now I am. But I won’t be going back there. In June, I’m no longer a Manchester City player. My contract finishes.”

Santa Cruz, who is the joint top-scorer in Paraguay’s history, now faces an uncertain club future despite making a strong impression with Malaga.

Although owned by a Qatari billionaire, the club’s free-spending days appear to be over. The sale of left-back Nacho Monreal to Arsenal in the January transfer window was another setback for the club.

“It’s a difficult situation here. I’m happy playing here. But further ahead I’ll see what’s best for me and what possibilities there are,” Santa Cruz said.

“The financial situation has an influence on the future of the club, on me and on the other players.

“There’s no security about which players arrive or leave. It’s a difficult situation which the club has to resolve as soon as possible.”