David Ginola only joined Tottenham because he had to leave Newcastle

Updated: 18 Nov, 2024 • 0 • min read

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David Ginola only joined Tottenham because he had to leave Newcastle

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David Ginola has confessed that he was never particularly keen on leaving Newcastle United for Tottenham Hotspur in 1997.

The Frenchman made a dazzling impact on Tyneside after joining Newcastle from Paris Saint-Germain for £2.5 million in 1995.

Whilst it was a memorable stint for Ginola in the North East, it was only a short one as he departed after just two seasons.

The move came about following Kevin Keegan's exit and Kenny Dalglish's appointment at St James' Park.

READ MORE: David Ginola came close to joining Barcelona instead of Newcastle in 1995

In a bombshell revelation in a new book on Newcastle's "Entertainers" team of the 1990s, Ginola explained:

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. 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.

Ginola joined Tottenham in 1997 for £2.5 million after Newcastle had finished second to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

The winger would go on to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year in 1999, with Tottenham winning the League Cup that season.

Meanwhile, Dalglish was sacked after a winless start to the 1998/99 season.