“I didn’t want to” – Tottenham icon admits he never actually intended to join the club.
Tottenham Hotspur icon David Ginola has opened up on his move to the club back in 1997.
The dazzling French forward joined the Lilywhites following a seven-goal, two-year spell at Newcastle United and became an instant hit at White Hart Lane.
Despite staying for just three seasons, Ginola scored 22 goals and helped Spurs win the 1999 League Cup, while always putting on a show with his incredible dribbling skills.
Ginola also won the 1998/99 PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Football of the Year awards.
His achievements have made Ginola a legend in North London, where he left for Aston Villa in the summer of 2000.
David Ginola opens up on reluctant Tottenham transfer
However, if Ginola had got his own way, he would never have joined Spurs at all.
That’s because his move away from St. James’ Park only came around as a result of Kenny Dalglish replacing Kevin Keegan as Newcastle manager.
Ginola never saw eye-to-eye with Dalglish, with the two coming to blows very early on.
“I didn’t want to leave the club but when Kenny Dalglish took over from Kevin it was a shock and it just wasn’t the same anymore. I argued with Kenny and he didn’t play me much after that,” the 17-time France international said in a new book about ‘The Entertainers’ (via the Shields Gazette).
“He tried to get rid of all the foreign players Kevin signed. I was frustrated at the time and I said something in the newspapers that if things don’t change, I will have to leave.
“The following day we had a row. He told me I couldn’t go to the newspapers and say these things. I said, ‘You treat me like I’m having an affair with your wife.’
“He said, ‘How dare you talk to me like that.’ I said, ‘At least I’m talking. You never look at me or talk to me.’ He wasn’t the guy to take us to the top, as it was proved. He didn’t make the most of the players we had.
“Under Kevin, it was such a pleasure every day in training and every Saturday away and at St James’ Park, where the atmosphere was magnificent. I miss those days. One day, those happy days will return.”
Despite being a reluctant arrival, Ginola arguably enjoyed his very best days at Tottenham and with the benefit of hindsight, surely doesn’t regret his move to White Hart Lane.
