MX23RW : Friday, March 29 12:55:25| >> :60:428:428:

Eric Dier: 'I had to explain Jose Mourinho conversation to Mauricio Pochettino'

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier says that he had to explain his conversation with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho last season to Mauricio Pochettino.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier has revealed that he was forced to explain his actions after chatting to Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho last season.

The 23-year-old, who has previously been linked with the Red Devils, was spotted speaking to Mourinho in Portuguese after United's win over Spurs at Old Trafford last December.

Dier admits that he was subsequently called into Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino's office, as the Argentine was unhappy with the situation.

"We were talking for a very long time," Dier told the Sunday Times. "And all of that week, really, we were in constant dialogue. It was a difficult week for me.

"The manager's point of view was [the friendliness with Mourinho] was disrespectful to him. [The dialogue] was more him getting that message across than me getting my message across.

"I grew up in Portugal. 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, [Cristiano] 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. 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."

United signed Nemanja Matic in the summer and are not believed to be still interested in Dier.

ID:311191: cacheID:311191:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2593:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Mark Noble and Eric Dier in action during the EFL Cup game between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United on October 25, 2017
Read Next:
Dier: 'Relationship with Pochettino is great'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!