NAC Breda technical director Tom Van den Abbeele insists their relationship with Manchester City remains rock solid.

After their relegation, NAC took only two City players on-loan this season.

Van den Abbeele explained to BN DeStem: "More than three players from City is not needed. In the Eerste Divisie we get talents from another segment of City: players of eighteen years old who come from youth football and are being loaned for the first time.

"Luka Ilic really wanted to come back because he thought he had to straighten something out towards the supporters. But we didn't want many of the players suggested by City."