As I live in Poole the Mrs and I went for a drive and as we drove around Sandbanks we past Harry Redknapp walking down the road. It got wondering how many of us still dislike him or have we all moved on and no longer have contempt towards him. Now it probably was not the best thing to say the Portsmouth was his spiritual home whilst he was Saints manager but I also know how p*ssed off I would be if I was told that I had to get rid of my assistant manager the late Jim Smith R. I. P a footballing man as there was not enough money but there was enough money to bring in Sir Clive Woodward a Rugby coach. Personally I have nothing against him anymore and wouldve spoke to him if I was walking past as life is too short to bear a grudge. He anyone else mellowed?
Saggy faced ****cunt imo... More seriously, there's football hate and then real life hate. I'll always have a bit of football hate for him as it comes with the terroritory. I don't genuinely hate the guy though to the point where I'd abuse him in the street or anything like that. Hate is generally a wasted emotion which only harms the person doing the hating imo. Life's too short.
I hold him responsible for our relegation, as a direct result of his poor tactical skills. That home game against Aston Villa, when we were 2-0 up at half time, despite Lee Hendrie being played out of position on Villa’s right ripping us apart at left back, because Anders Svensson was playing left midfield for us and leaving us exposed. When Solano came on second half, Redknapp should have put Le Saux on, but didn’t until it was too late and Solano changed the game in Villa ‘s favour. 3 lost points that would have kept us up.
Like many Saints fans, Harry was a big mistake for us and I've been very sceptical of how he managed to increase debts through players wages etc. That aside, played golf today with a guy who had a day's golf with Harry and said a more charming, helpful chap you couldn't find. On discovering my friend's grandson was a Spurs supporter, he took details and sent a fully sized birthday card signed by him and the entire squad along with a team picture etc.
I watched Harry’s Heroes recently, and sort of warmed to him in spite of myself. Like Libby says, football hate isn’t really real, it’s something that adds spice to football. He’ll always be a pantomime villain though, I ain’t forgiven him for being a slippery two faced crook.
I have to say that I felt that he was an extremely poor fit for Southampton and it was clear that his heart was never in it when it came to managing the Saints. The first few games seemed to promise a turnaround yet my over-riding impression of his tenure centres around the post-match press conferences he gave which always struck my Dad and I as being extremely negative. My Dad used to shake his head is disbelief at Redknapp's failure to back his players. Part of me feels that he was undermined by Rupert and Sir Clive. My company went to a corporate presentation given by SCW and you could immediately appreciate why his analytical approach jarred with Harry. I had sympathy at the time yet I now wonder just how much what SCW tried to implement is now routine in football. I would guess that it would be about 80% of it. However, I just felt that Redknapp regretted moving to Saints and the fact that he did not wish to be at St Marys managed to communicate itself to the players even if not with words. The defeat at Fratton Park was probably the most devastating and humiliating loss I have witnessed until the Leicester game this season. Neither Saints nor Redknapp came out well in that relationship but I feel that Harry came off lightly in the press. It was only until he got QPR effectively relegated too that the media started to take a dimmer view on his ability. The problem with Redknapp is that he is more of a media personality than a "sports scientist.." I think he had some ability as a coach even if he was something of a relic even when at Spurs. Personally, his approach was ideal for a team like Portsmouth where the fans would tend to appreciate someone they could relate to as a working class man. It was unfortunate for the likes of Redknapp that the game has now changed so much that "characters" are not quite so prevalent. It does baffle me that he did as well as he did at Spurs although I suppose Poch is evidence as to what could be achieved wit a club like Spurs when your management style is more holistic.
I also seem to remember that Peter Crouch fired a shot at Nigel Martyn in the dying seconds instead of taking it to the corner flag. Nigel Martyn then hoofed the ball up the other end and Everton get the equalizer. Those 2 points we dropped could've kept us up.
I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire, but I guess today I wouldn't be the one starting the fire. He is so one dimsional, relying on his 'cockney' charm. A person who know the cost of everything but the value of nothing.
Somehow my then 4-5 year old son learned to run at the TV and boo whenever his face appeared on it. I’m a good parent. Case rested, your honour.
He also tried to sell Bale to Forest for 2m. https://www.nottinghampost.com/spor...s/gareth-bale-nottingham-forest-claim-3971612