Kyle Walker has admitted he was hurt by Mauricio Pochettino’s criticism of him, and revealed he left Tottenham because the Argentine told him he was not part of his plans.
The England international joined Manchester City in a £45million deal in July 2017, and has since won the Premier League title and Carabao Cup.
Tottenham boss Pochettino claimed in a book published last year that Walker wanted to leave the north London club.
He also accused the defender of an “alarming lack of respect” to Spurs after insisting that he forced through the move to Pep Guardiola’s side.
But Walker, 28, has refuted Pochettino’s claim, and taken aim at his former manager for making details of their conversation public.
“I was hurt a lot by that,” Walker said in an interview with the Daily Mail. “He said his door was always open and I thought it was a private meeting we had. So I kept quiet but then he went and wrote about it or his version of it.
“If he was going to do that he might as well have called a press conference and told everyone. He told me I wasn’t in his plans. He told one side of the story, but it’s a side of a story I don’t agree with.
“He said he had a witness in there, but he didn’t tell the correct story, no way. Up until now I have never said my part. I have stayed quiet and showed a level of respect to Tottenham and I always will.
“People don’t know the ins and outs of everything and it is about time I told people what happened from my side.”
Walker, who is set to line up for City against Cardiff on Saturday following their surprise midweek defeat at home to Lyon in the Champions League, defended his decision to leave Spurs.
“I have had a few people calling me a snake and stuff,” he added. “It hurts because I gave everything to that club. And everything I am now I owe to that club.
“I have justified why I wanted to come to Manchester City because I have won trophies and improved.”