Kyle Walker says Spurs teammate was best trainer he’s ever seen in football
Footballers often credit their success to personal talent, dedication, or brilliant coaching, but for Kyle Walker, one player’s training ethic has stood out above all others, and surprisingly, it’s not one of his decorated Manchester City teammates.
Walker’s journey from Tottenham to Manchester City
Before his record-breaking time at Manchester City, Kyle Walker had already established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest full-backs during his spell at Tottenham Hotspur. Making 229 appearances for Spurs between 2009 and 2017, Walker became a staple of the North London side’s defence, often combining his pace and power with Danny Rose on the opposite flank.
When Walker moved to City in 2017, his career trajectory took a sharp incline. Under Pep Guardiola’s meticulous coaching, he became part of one of the most dominant teams in English football history, amassing over 300 appearances and claiming six Premier League titles among a slew of other accolades.
While Manchester City’s star-studded squad has undoubtedly played a role in Walker’s personal success, it was on a recent episode of his podcast that he named a former teammate as the most impressive trainer he has ever encountered.
A nod to Tottenham days: Danny Rose takes centre stage
Despite sharing a dressing room with some of the finest footballers in the world at Manchester City, Kyle Walker cast his mind back to his Tottenham days to heap praise on Danny Rose. Reflecting on their time together, Walker didn’t hold back in describing Rose’s professionalism during training sessions.
Walker revealed on the You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker podcast, saying: “I promise you, he is the best trainer I have ever seen in football ever. It was 110% every time. I’m not saying he’s the best trainer and he can’t play football. On Saturday, he was still good.
“First one in training, all the time, he’d be doing his stuff and be the best trainer every day and if you played for Tottenham you couldn’t tell me otherwise. My last season with me and him on the wings was a joy.”
This glowing endorsement paints a picture of a player whose behind-the-scenes efforts were unmatched, even if his later career trajectory didn’t follow the same glittering path as Walker’s.
Reflecting on Rose’s career and training culture
Danny Rose, who retired after an illustrious career that included 214 appearances for Spurs, may not have won the same honours as Walker, but his dedication to the game remains undeniable.
The full-back, known for his consistency during Tottenham’s peak years under Mauricio Pochettino, left a lasting impression on teammates and fans alike.
Rose’s career, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Under José Mourinho, Rose struggled for game time, an issue documented in the Spurs’ All or Nothing series. Mourinho, candid as ever, told Rose during a now-famous exchange: “The week before Liverpool, you were fantastic in training and that made me decide that in the most difficult game against the most difficult opponent, you play. I think you didn’t play well.”
This admission perhaps highlighted the gulf between Rose’s exceptional training ethic and his occasional struggles to replicate it consistently on matchdays.
In naming Rose the best trainer he has ever worked with, Walker not only paid a significant compliment to his former teammate but also offered a reminder of how hard work and professionalism can leave a lasting legacy—even if the accolades don’t always follow.
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