Kyle Walker told Tottenham he wanted to leave in April, according to boss Mauricio Pochettino
Walker had lost his place in the side to Kieran Trippier towards end of the season and sensationally revealed his head and heart were no longer at club
MAURICIO POCHETTINO revealed Kyle Walker told him he wanted to leave Tottenham six weeks before the end of the season as his heart was no longer at the club.
Walker, who joined Manchester City in July, lost his place in the starting line up at the back end of the campaign to Kieran Trippier and informed Poch he was off after the home win against Watford.
The Spurs boss recalls the events leading up to the defenders departure in Guillem Balague’s book “Brave New World”.
Poch said: “Leaving out a regular always wounds them, creating a rift between them and the coaching staff that can be very difficult to heal.
“Walker had just played back-to-back games for the national team. Our first match after his return was against Burnley.
“We played Swansea on the Wednesday and Walker started, Trippier came back into the team to face Watford on the Saturday and was man of the match.
Latest Spurs news
“Walker came to my office after the Watford game, 'Gaffer, I've been at Tottenham for nine years. I've thought about it and my heart isn't here anymore, nor is my head.
‘I've given all I have to give. I wanted to tell you before I tell my agent that I want to leave this summer.'
Poch added: “Kyle, you have to stay professional, there's a month and a half to go. We're battling for the Premier League and FA Cup. We have to be focused and finish the campaign strongly.”
'OK, gaffer. But it's already decided.'
“Well, that doesn't just depend on you or me. It depends on the club, above all.
The Spurs coach continued: “You've disappointed me because you've decided to tell me that you want to leave when there is a month and bit left in the competition.
“You could've sucked it up, kept quiet, trained, played and helped the team when not picked... and at the end of the season you could have come and told me.'
“I considered it to be an alarming lack of respect for his team-mates and a slap in the face for the club, none of that could be explained to the public at the time.”
