Forgotten Man City star released by Swiss side after EIGHT games having failed to 'perform as expected' and angering bosses with off-field antics

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Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been released by Swiss side FC Zurich after just eight games following criticism from his bosses.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 31-year-old joined Zurich in February on a deal until the summer of 2026 but he has been let go a year early. According to Mundo Deportivo, the club were angry over Mendy's off-field antics, particularly when he allegedly partied just hours after a 4-0 loss to rivals Basel in April.

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WHAT ZURICH AND THEIR MANAGER SAID

A club statement reads: "FC Zurich announces that the contract with French defender Benjamin Mendy has been terminated by mutual consent. He is leaving the city club with immediate effect. FCZ wishes Benjamin Mendy all the best for his private and sporting future."

Following the Basel loss, manager Ricardo Moniz said: "Mendy didn't perform as expected of a player of his calibre. His physical condition isn't up to what we expect from a player in this league. After a 4–0 defeat, you can't afford to do that to the supporters."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mendy has been trying to rebuild his career after initially being suspended by City in August 2021, where he was later charged with rape and sexual assault. He was cleared of seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and one count of sexual assault by July 2023, and last November he won a tribunal against City over unpaid wages. Since signing for Lorient in 2023, however, he has played just 23 times, and this is another bad episode in his career.

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WHAT NEXT?

Left-back Mendy, who has been capped 10 times for France, is once again looking for a new club. Whether the former Monaco and Marseille man finds one before the new season starts remains to be seen.