Skip to main content Skip to footer 
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has opened up about the emotional farewell Tottenham players experienced when former manager Andre Villas-Boas was sacked in December 2013. On the latest episode of his podcast, You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker, the 34-year-old shared how the Portuguese manager, known for his kind demeanor, broke down in tears in front of the team after being dismissed by chairman Daniel Levy.
Walker, who played under Villas-Boas during his time at Tottenham, described the moment as unforgettable, revealing that many players, including himself and former teammate Michael Dawson, were deeply moved by the manager’s departure. “I’ve got tears running down my eyes… Michael Dawson is welling up,” Walker recalled. “That’s how much he meant to the lads.”
Villas-Boas, who took charge of Spurs in July 2012, had a promising start, narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot in his first season. However, the team struggled in the following season after the sale of star player Gareth Bale to Real Madrid for a then-world record £85.3 million. Despite reinvesting in the squad, the new signings failed to gel, leading to a series of poor results, including a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, which ultimately cost Villas-Boas his job.
Reflecting on that period, Walker expressed regret that the team was unable to perform well enough to keep their manager in his role. “Bale was a massive, massive loss,” he admitted. “They signed seven players off the back of the Bale money. There’s a lot of changes there, and we just never really gelled in time for him [Villas-Boas] to then do well.”
Despite the team’s struggles, Walker spoke highly of Villas-Boas, emphasizing the strong bond he had formed with the squad. “For 10 or 12 men to be crying because the manager’s gone, he’s done something well in the dressing room,” Walker said.
Walker Reflects on Pochettino and Tough Managerial Moments
In the podcast, Walker also discussed his relationship with former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, particularly the disappointment he felt during his final season at the club. Despite being a key player for Spurs, Walker found himself competing for the right-back position with Kieran Trippier. He recalled feeling hurt when Pochettino chose Trippier over him for Spurs’ last ever game at White Hart Lane, a 2-1 win against Manchester United in May 2017.
“He [Pochettino] brought me on at, like, 84 minutes or something like that,” Walker said. “That’s the one thing that really hurt me. I just felt that I’ve been here for so long. That ground actually meant so much to me.”
Walker revealed that Pochettino had given him permission to leave the club that summer, explaining that Trippier would be his first-choice right-back. Despite this, Walker expressed no ill feelings towards his former manager, stating, “I say thank you, and whenever I see him, I give him a hug and a cuddle and that’s it.”
The England international also shared his experiences with managers who have delivered the most severe reprimands during his career. He recalled that former England manager Roy Hodgson, usually known for his formal and polite demeanor, had a surprising temper when pushed. Walker also mentioned Pochettino’s passion for the game, noting that while he was generally calm, he could “flip” when things weren’t going well.
Walker’s reflections provide a rare glimpse into the emotional and intense world of professional football, highlighting the deep connections players can form with their managers and the challenging moments that come with the sport.
