Our former defender William Gallas has told SFR Sport that ex Spurs boss Villas-Boas lacked “the balls” to tell him he was surplus to requirements at the club.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Gallas saw a three-year spell at Spurs end after the 2012-13 season, which had started with him as captain of the team.
He had made 16 Premier League starts before suffering an injury on Boxing Day, but dropped out of Villas-Boas’ plans after the setback and Gallas said the manager had not had the courage to tell him his Spurs career was over, meaning he missed the opportunity to leave White Hart Lane during the winter transfer window.
“I was in contact with him, because I went to France for treatment,”:he said. “We had an important game, and I called him and asked him if he needed me for the match against Manchester United.
Gallas added: “He told me: ‘Yes, no…'”I went back to Tottenham and I felt something had changed. At training, every morning, he spoke with the English, he talked to this one and that one, but didn’t come to talk to me.
Galas went on to say: “I said to myself: ‘Something has changed, they’re going to mess me around.’ The winter window was still open. He then said to me: ‘William, can we talk?’ I said: ‘Yes, no problem.’ We went into his office, we talked: ‘How are you? How do you feel?’ ‘I’m fine’ etc.And then I said to him: ‘Coach, I prefer you be frank with me. If you don’t need me any more, tell me. I’m 34. There are clubs that want me to sign for them, it’s not a problem. I’m 34, if you feel I’m not up to it any more, there is no problem.’He replied: ‘No, I need you, don’t worry.’ He didn’t have the balls.”
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