Dietmar Hamann believes that striker Mario Balotelli has no future at Manchester City.
The former City midfielder says that the 22-year-old's clash with manager Roberto Mancini at the club's Carrington training ground on Thursday will lead to his departure.
"I can't see him having a future at the club," he told BBC Sport.
However, Hamann believes that losing Balotelli will galvanise the City squad and prove to be beneficial for the team.
"We mustn't forget that when he got sent off against Arsenal in the last six games where he didn't play - he only featured for 15 or 20 minutes in the last game - they won all six," said the German.
"So if it wasn't for him being sent off against Arsenal I'm not sure whether City would have won the league last season. I think the team wanted to prove a point to the manager that 'we don't need him'.
"It's got to a stage now where it seriously harms the reputation of the football club. These stories go worldwide. First and foremost the manager has to make a decision."
Hamann played for City for three years between 2006 and 2009.
Subhankar Mondal
