In a recent revelation, Kyle Walker, the former Tottenham right-back, has opened up about a decision made by Mauricio Pochettino that left him heartbroken. This decision was not just any managerial call but one that marked the end of an era at White Hart Lane.
Walker was an integral part of some memorable Spurs sides during his eight-year tenure in North London. However, his time at the club did not conclude as he would have wished due to a falling out with then-manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The circumstances leading to Walker's £45m move to Manchester City in 2017 have been widely discussed and debated. In his book 'Brave New World', Pochettino claimed feeling betrayed by Walker when the England international expressed his intention to leave before the season ended while Spurs were vying for the Premier League title.
More than just a stadium to Walker
Contrary to what has been written and said about this incident, Walker refuted these claims on his podcast last week. He insisted it was actually Pochettino who had made it clear that he wasn't part of his plans anymore.
Walker further shed light on this disagreement with Pochettino in a recent episode of 'You’ll Never beat Kyle Walker' podcast. He revealed being left out from Tottenham's final game at White Hart Lane against Manchester United deeply hurt him.
Manchester City right-back, Kyle Walker, said:
“Tripps did really well and from that game onwards he played me one week, Tripps the other week, me one week, Tripps the other week. You couldn’t get a rhythm. It was so stop-start, I couldn’t get going again. But I’d worked out in my head that if I was to play on/off until the end of the season. The last game at White Hart Lane, it was against Manchester United and I wouldn’t play.
“Lo and behold it got to that game and I was on the bench. He brought me on at 84 minutes and that’s the one thing that really hurt me. Never mind what he says, that ground meant so much to me. That hurt.”
The Final Game Fallout
The 34-year-old footballer expressed dismay over being benched for such an iconic match - marking the end of an era at White Hart Lane - which held immense sentimental value for him as well as fans worldwide.
This revelation provides new insights into one of football's most talked-about transfers and offers fans a glimpse into behind-the-scenes dynamics that often shape players' careers and legacies.
Walker's departure from Tottenham was a significant event marked by emotional turmoil and professional disagreements. His recent revelations have added another layer to this narrative, highlighting the complexities of player-manager relationships in modern football.
