This archive report was first published on 13 September 2019.
Published on September 13, 2019, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Kieran Trippier tried to contact him to explain he felt his words had been “twisted” while on international duty.
Trippier, who left Tottenham for Atletico Madrid in the summer, claimed last week that he “didn’t really get an answer” when he asked chairman Daniel Levy about his future.
However, Pochettino said that Trippier sent him a text this week but he did not receive it after changing numbers, leaving Harry Kane to pass on the message on the player’s return from international duty.
“I didn’t see [Trippier’s comments], but I heard about it. I can explain how I feel. We had a conversation where he explained he was going to move to Atletico Madrid – nothing more,” Pochettino said.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) when Harry Kane arrived back he said to me ‘did you get Kieran’s text?’ I said ‘no’ because I changed my number. Maybe because he doesn’t have the new number,” Pochettino added.
“Because he believes his words were twisted – I don’t know nothing more. Kieran translated this message to me through Harry Kane. He wanted to tell me. But I’ve got no problem with Kieran,” Pochettino said.
Trippier spent four seasons at Tottenham, during which time he became Pochettino’s first-choice right-back, earning him a call-up for England.
He was heralded as one of the players of the 2018 World Cup, scoring in the Three Lions’ semi-final defeat to Croatia.
Pochettino also suggested the club deserved some credit for transforming him from “a second division player” to an England international.
