)
Everton midfielder Dele Alli recanted his worst memories at Tottenham noting the role of one former manager.
Former Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has revealed the torture of his fall from grace with Spurs, recounting the lowest point of his career.
Alli opens up about Tottenham demise
The former England international opened up about a number of touching subjects on the Overlap with ex-Manchester United star Fary Neville, and noted that he almost retired at the age of 24, after having a tumultuous time at Spurs with the Portuguese manager.
When asked if he could remember when things started to go awry for him, Alli said, “It’s hard to pinpoint one moment, probably the saddest moment for me was when Mourinho was manager, I think I was 24 and I remember there was one session, one morning I woke up and had to go to training.
)
“I remember just looking in the mirror – I mean it sounds dramatic but I was literally staring in the mirror – and I was asking if I could retire now, at 24, doing the thing I love.
“For me, that was heartbreaking to even have had that thought at 24, to want to retire.”
Alli says Mourinho apologised for ‘lazy’ diagnosis behind the scenes
Alli continued to play football but has struggled to replicate his early Tottenham form, after being plagued with comments made by Mourinho in a documentary where he called Alli “lazy” despite the Portuguese gaffer later apologising and admitting his mistake off camera.
“He called me lazy,” Alli noted, continuing, “That was the day after recovery day. A week later, he apologised to me for calling me lazy because he'd seen me actually train and play. But that wasn't in the documentary, and no one spoke up about that because it was only me and him.
“In the team meeting, he called me lazy but then one-on-one, I think it was on the pitch he apologised for it. And I didn't think anything of it at the time because I know myself – I'm not lazy.
“I think other coaches maybe, for other reasons why I weren't playing, they stuck to that – lazy one – because it was kind of an easy, easy one to use. And the problem was probably more than that, I think.”
Currently back with Everton after a failed loan spell at Turkish side Besiktas, Alli is hoping to pick up the pieces of his career with a new start under manager Sean Dyche.
,
Related content
)
15:58 - 13.07.2023
Dele Alli: Former Tottenham player reveal how he sold drugs aged 8 to survive
Dele Alli, a star for England, has spoken candidly about his difficult upbringing and how he began selling drugs at the age of eight.
)
15:46 - 13.07.2023
Dele Alli: Everton midfielder reveals he went to rehab for six weeks, became addicted to sleeping pills
After his horrible experience in Turkey, Dele Alli admitted in an emotional interview that he developed a sleeping drug addiction.
)
15:27 - 13.07.2023
Dele Alli: Girlfriend, Kimberly expresses her support for her man after learning of his childhood sexual abuse
Following his admission that he had been sexually molested as a child, Dele Alli's girlfriend Cindy Kimberly expresses her support for him.
)
20:53 - 12.07.2023
Tottenham reportedly eyeing switch for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher
According to reports, Conor Gallagher may be on the verge of a shocking departure from Chelsea as Tottenham looks to sign the England international.
)
19:00 - 12.07.2023
TRANSFERS Premier League powerhouses collide in bid to secure Celta Vigo maestro
Three Premier League giants go head-to-head in pursuit of Spanish superstar.
)
14:59 - 11.07.2023
FOOTBALL Kane expected to return to Tottenham training despite Bayern Munich bid
Bayern have made Kane their number one target with manager Thomas Tuchel having already discussed a potential move with him.
)
22:24 - 10.07.2023
Ex-Manchester United Ashley Young set to join Everton
Ashley Young is set to continue in the Premier League, after reportedly reaching an agreement with Everton on a short-term deal.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)