Kyle Walker was one of 12 Tottenham players to break down 'crying' after Andre Villas-Boas sacking as Man City & England star reveals special bond with 'so nice' manager

Walker has shed light on his time working under Villas-Boas at Tottenham before his move to Manchester City. The defender spent eight years in north London and described the Portuguese manager as "so, so nice". After he was dismissed at the end of 2013, the England full-back recalled the moment Villas-Boas addressed the squad, admitting the manager and many of the Spurs players broke down in tears during their final goodbye.

Speaking on the latest episode of the 'You'll never beat Kyle Walker' podcast, the 34-year-old said: "I've got tears running down my eyes... Michael Dawson is welling up. That's how much he meant to the lads. Gareth Bale was a massive, massive loss. They signed seven players off the back of the Bale money. There are a lot of changes there and we just never really gelled in time for him [Villas-Boas] to then do well. For 10 or 12 men to be crying because the manager's gone, he's done something well in the dressing room."

Tottenham have been through their fair share of managers in recent seasons, but it never felt like Villas-Boas got a fair shot at the gig. After losing Bale, it was always going to be difficult to maintain the standards he set before departing for Real Madrid. Since then, the 46-year-old has gone on to manage Zenit Saint Petersburg, Shanghai and Marseille.

In the 11 years since Villas-Boas' Spurs stint, a lot has changed. Walker has gone on to become one of England's most decorated players and is being eased back in by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola this season. Villas-Boas was let go from his last managerial job by Marseille after publicly criticising the club back in 2021, but has since been appointed president of FC Porto.