Cesare Prandelli believes a return to Italy “could help” controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli’s future has been the subject of renewed speculation after it emerged he is taking City to a Premier League tribunal this week.
Balotelli is appealing against a club fine imposed for on-field indiscipline.
The Italian has taken the matter to the Premier League, as is his right, after failing in the internal appeals process.
Neither City nor the Premier League have commented on the development but it has further fuelled rumours the 22-year-old could leave the Etihad Stadium during next month’s transfer window.
City boss Roberto Mancini has twice dropped Balotelli in recent weeks for poor form and again voiced fears the player’s talent could go to waste if his attitude does not improve.
Prandelli, for whom Balotelli impressed at Euro 2012, told Rai Sport: “Mancini is absolutely right. Balotelli must listen to him, I agree with him.
“Everything depends on Mario, however. Coaches can try to stimulate and negotiate with you but everything must start from him.
“Returning to Italy could help him. It’s important for him to have continuity, the city or the country is not the problem.”
Balotelli, signed for £24 million from Inter in 2010, has been linked with a return to the San Siro with Milan.
The latest matter adds to a long list of controversies – on and off the pitch – concerning the enigmatic Balotelli during his time at Eastlands.
Balotelli’s performances this season have been under scrutiny.
Last month he was dropped for a clash against Spurs for what Mancini described as a poor attitude in training.
After a spell out injured he scored at Wigan on November 27 – his only goal of the Premier League season so far – and was a surprising starter in the derby defeat against Manchester United earlier this month.
But he was withdrawn early in the second half of that game after an ineffectual performance and he was again left out for Saturday’s win at Newcastle.
Mancini said: “He is not in good form at this moment and it was better for him that he continued to train and to train well. When he is in form, he will play.
“His form is not good – it’s not good to play.”