Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 6y

William Gallas: Andre Villas-Boas 'lacked balls' to say Spurs career was over

William Gallas has told SFR Sport Andre Villas-Boas lacked "the balls" to tell him he was surplus to requirements at Tottenham Hotspur.

Gallas saw a three-year spell at Spurs end after the 2012-13 season, which had started with the former Chelsea and Arsenal player as captain of the team.

He made 16 Premier League starts before suffering an injury on Boxing Day, but dropped out of Villas-Boas' plans after the setback.

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. 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.

"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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