The relationship between Newcastle United and Alexander Isak has taken a bitter turn, with the player accusing the club of breaking promises and losing his trust, saying, “this relationships can’t continue.”

The club, on the other hand, refuted Isak’s claim, saying that no promises were made and emphasising that he is under contract and that they would welcome him back if he is willing to rejoin the team.

READ MORE ON THE TOPIC: Newcastle United issues stern response to Alexander Isak

Heavily tipped to make a move to Liverpool this summer, Isak has seen the possibility of that being blocked as of now after the Magpies rejected a £110 million bid from the Reds. The situation has further complicated any potential transfer, with Newcastle seemingly unwilling to sell.

With the relationship getting bitter by the day, Sportstar looks at similar instances where players fell out with their club.

Raheem Sterling

When Raheem Sterling was a Liverpool player, he refused to join the Reds on their 2015 pre-season tour, after he was speculated to join Manchester City.

The English forward did not report for training and told then-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers that he was sick. Soon after, he joined City.

During his time at Liverpool, too, many fans felt that Sterling was not giving his 100 per cent, and the forced move was the final nail in the coffin with the relationship between Sterling and Liverpool turning hostile, signs of which are seen even to this day.

Carlos Tevez

In 2011, the footballing world saw a bitter saga between Carlos Tevez and Manchester City. In September that year, in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, then-City manager Roberto Mancini had started Tevez on the bench.

When the Italian asked Tevez to come on, the Argentine blatantly refused, which infuriated the Italian. Tevez was suspended for two week and he had to train alone after returning to England.

FILE – Despite Mancini extending the olive branch, saying that Tevez could join the squad with an apology, the latter flew back to Argentina. 
| Photo Credit:
AFP

Despite Mancini extending the olive branch, saying that Tevez could join the squad with an apology, the latter flew back to Argentina.

The saga went on for about five months, and it was only in February 2012 that Tevez admitted his wrongdoing. Ultimately, it was a happy ending as he joined the squad and helped City win its first Premier League title a few months later.

Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois, during his time at Chelsea, expressed a desire to move to Spain to be closer to his family and let the club of his intention to make a move.

This did not go down well with the club, and the relationship between Courtois and Chelsea quickly soured. The Belgian did not report for training after the summer break, and according to media reports, went AWOL to pressurise the club into selling him.

FILE – As Courtois was in the later stages of his contract with the Blues, the London club decided to sell him and worked out a deal with Real Madrid for a fee of £35 million. 
| Photo Credit:
AFP

As Courtois was in the later stages of his contract with the Blues, the London club decided to sell him and worked out a deal with Real Madrid for a fee of £35 million.

The Belgian later apologised to the fans and admitted that it was not the best to leave the club.

William Gallas

William Gallas’ saga with Chelsea is one for the ages and is surely one of the biggest examples of a relationship between a player and club gone sour.

While it was a known fact that Gallas wanted a move away, Chelsea claimed that the player threatened to score own goals if his wishes were not met. Gallas, however, denied the claims later and accused Chelsea of lacking class.

FILE – William Gallas’ saga with Chelsea is one for the ages and is surely one of the biggest examples of a relationship between a player and club gone sour. 
| Photo Credit:
AFP

Chelsea’s statement read, “He initially refused to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final last season to force an increased contract offer. As is now well-documented, he refused to join up with the team in Los Angeles during pre-season. He went on to threaten that if he was forced to play, or if he was disciplined and financially punished for his breach of the rules, that he could score an own goal or get himself sent off, or make deliberate mistakes.”

Gallas eventually sealed a move to Arsenal.

Javier Mascherano

In 2010, Javier Mascherano refused to play for Liverpool in a match against Manchester City when the Reds rejected a bid for the player from Barcelona.

In 2010, Javier Mascherano refused to play for Liverpool in a match against Manchester City when the Reds rejected a bid for the player from Barcelona. 
| Photo Credit:
AFP

Speaking on the saga, Mascherano said, “There was an agreement between us that if Liverpool received a decent offer for me, I’d be permitted to leave. We’d spoken about extending my contract, but it seemed like the directors didn’t care about me. In the pre-season after Rafa left, Roy Hodgson arrived. We had a meeting with the managing director, Christian Purslow, who told me I could go if a good offer came in. Then there was an offer on the table, but Liverpool were looking the other way.”

The Argentinian eventually managed to get his way and moved to the Catalan club later that year.

Published on Aug 20, 2025