Kyle Walker, the decorated Manchester City defender and England international, has opened up about the profound impact his father’s strict approach had on shaping him into one of the world’s top right-backs.
Walker, who has lifted the Premier League trophy six times, along with two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, and a Champions League title, shared that his father, Michael, played a crucial role in his development both as a player and a person. Despite achieving remarkable success at club and international levels, Walker revealed that it was his father’s criticism that fueled his determination to succeed.
Tough love from his father
Speaking on the You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker podcast, the 34-year-old reflected on how his father’s harsh but caring feedback drove him to improve. Early in his career, Walker said his main goal was to prove his dad wrong, as he often faced tough criticism from him. Despite good performances, his father would point out areas where he could have done better, reducing Walker to tears during car rides home from matches.
Walker explained that these moments, while difficult, were not intended to hurt him. “He did it because he cared,” Walker said, adding that these critiques motivated him to push harder and reach higher levels in his career.
Walker also acknowledged the contrasting support of his mother, Tracey, who provided the emotional balance he needed while his father focused on pushing him to excel on the pitch. The combination of these two influences helped Walker to eventually win his father’s approval through his consistent performances at Manchester City.
Passing on the lessons to his own children
Walker admitted that while he doesn’t apply the same intense criticism to his own children, he does try to instill a winning mentality in them, similar to how his father shaped him. He stressed the importance of teaching his boys resilience by not letting them win easily in games or competitions.
The defender shared that when playing games in the garden with his children, he gives his all, believing that this will prepare them for real-world challenges. His goal is to foster the same competitive edge in them that his father embedded in him.
Reflecting on his relationship with his father, Walker said it took years of performing at the highest level for his dad to finally acknowledge his abilities, particularly after a few successful seasons at Manchester City. Now, Walker cherishes the pride his father shows in his accomplishments but remains committed to passing on the same principles of hard work and perseverance to the next generation.
