Former Tottenham Hotspurs manager, Martin Jol, has today lifted the lid on his relationship with striker Dimitar Berbatov. The media have suggested the manager and player had a rocky relationship, with an incident at St James' Park suggesting Jol had lost control of the striker.

"At St James' Park (when Berbatov appeared reluctant to come on as a substitute), a lot had been made in the media about Berbatov's attitude, that he didn't want to come on because he was sulking at being on the bench," explained Jol.

"Normally Chris Hughton would tell the players to warm up, but not this time. However, he didn't seem that keen to do it.

"I turned my shoulder again and this time looked him in the eye and told him 'come on, warm up' and he began to warm up.

"He never said he didn't want to come on, but that's how it has been perceived. But that's Berbatov, he always seems reluctant to do anything.

"Gifted, yes. But he is not a fighter. Perhaps you need others who are fighters to balance out the team."