Kieran Trippier has revealed the role Sean Dyche had in improving his career.
The 28-year-old right-back played under Dyche at Turf Moor, where Spurs play this weekend.
Trippier then moved onto Spurs, where he has become one of the most consistent defenders in the country. He also starred at the World Cup, helping England to a semi-final against Croatia.
They lost that game despite Trippier scoring the opening goal of the game from a free-kick.
And Trippier has now admitted that the Burnley boss helped him limit his drinking — to the benefit of his career.
He told the Burnley Express: ‘He helped me a lot. I was still going out when I was younger – drinking – and I wasn’t looking after myself properly. He came in and sorted it all out.
‘We were close when I was at Burnley and I would love to play for him again one day. We usually talk once every two weeks, just to keep each other updated on things.
‘We’ve always stayed in contact, we’ve always had that kind of relationship. We’ve probably become even closer since I left.’
Analysis
Dyche is a highly regarded manager within the game and his work with players like Trippier has been clear. So many have come through the door at Turf Moor and left as better players.
This is just another example of his man-management ability and why Burnley are lucky to have the gravel-voiced manager in situ.
The example also stretches to the likes of Tom Heaton, Nick Pope and other players at Burnley, who have gone from Premier League also-rans to full internationals under Dyche’s watch.
