MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 17:54:16| >> :60:1926:1926:

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:
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
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
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


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!