Eric Dier has revealed his relationship with Mauricio Pochettino grew stronger after the Tottenham manager appeared to accuse the defender of disrespect.
In his new book, Pochettino detailed how he was unhappy when he saw Dier laughing and joking with Jose Mourinho in the Old Trafford tunnel last season.
Dier was subsequently linked with a move to Manchester United, but nothing materialised.
Pochettino claims he talked it out with Dier, but there were still suggestions the 23-year-old would consider a move to Old Trafford.
However, Dier has now opened up about the situation in an interview with The Times.
“The manager’s point of view was [the friendliness with Mourinho] was disrespectful to him,” said Dier. “It was more him getting that message across than me getting my message across.
“I completely understand where the manager was coming from but I believe I was stuck in the middle of something I couldn’t really affect.
“Portuguese people are very proud and it’s a small country. It doesn’t have the economic power of a country such as England, so people like Mourinho, Ronaldo, they’re extremely proud of it.
“Growing up there I was within all that, you know? I didn’t want to be disrespectful to anyone.”
“My relationship with the manager has become even stronger for what we went through.”
Dier has been in top form lately, so the Spurs supporters will be pleased to hear there are no hard feelings between the player and Pochettino.
