Mauricio Pochettino claimed his preference to keep Kieran Trippier was "so clear" despite the defender appearing to accuse Tottenham of keeping him guessing over its transfer plans.
England right-back Trippier moved to La Liga side Atletico Madrid in July, bringing an end to a four-year stint in north London.
The 28-year-old endured an underwhelming final season with Spurs but last week said he had "wanted to stay" and might have done so had the club not "got rid" of him.
"I tried to speak to the chairman about it and I spoke to the manager about his plans and I didn't get a yes and I didn't get a no. So you get the impression," Trippier was quoted as saying.
Pochettino offered a different version of events and revealed the former Burnley player made contact through Harry Kane in an attempt to clarify his comments.
"He believed his words were twisted - I don't know anything more," said Pochettino, who did not receive a text message from Trippier due to recently changing his phone number.
"Kieran translated this message to me through Harry Kane. He wanted to tell me. But I've got no problem with Kieran.
"In football decisions happen and players move from one club to another. What happened happened, and we need to move on and he needs to think of Atletico Madrid and be happy there."
Pochettino added, according to several English newspapers: "The only conversation when he arrived after the summer was when he came to see me.
"He asked me for a meeting and said, 'Gaffer, I think I have a good possibility and for different reasons I would like to accept the offer from Atletico Madrid'.
"He didn't ask me nothing. He only communicated whether the club were going to accept the offer. Nothing more.
"It wasn't a conversation - 'Do you want me or don't you want me?'. It was so clear.
"He played the final of the Champions League, when I had plenty of different options, with Serge Aurier, Davinson Sanchez, Kyle Walker-Peters. But he played the final of the Champions League. My actions speak louder than my words."
Trippier joined Tottenham from Burnley in 2015 and went on to star at the World Cup three years later.
"We all feel proud to help him to achieve his dream and to reach a level that he wasn't at before he arrived at Tottenham," Pochettino said.
"That speaks very highly about Tottenham, very highly about him, and we are more than happy that he is enjoying the new experience in Spain.
"I hope he has a good life there."
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