When you think of current Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, most people would say to you that he is a great wheeler-dealer, a genius in the transfer market who can often find great players at bargain basement prices. One of the most liked and respected managers in the Premier League and arguably the most talented English manager of his generation, Redknapp is a jewel in the Premiership’s crown. Redknapp is also part of a football family, with his son Jamie playing for Liverpool and his nephew Frank Lampard still featuring for Chelsea. Harry is definitely a character who brings passion and humour to the Premier League.
Managerial Career:
Harry Redknapp was born in East London in 1947 and the 62 year old went straight into football management after a successful playing career with West Ham and Bournemouth. Harry started his managerial career with the Cherries in 1983 and has gone on to manage in England for over 25 years, moving from Bournemouth to West Ham, as well as a period at Southampton that was sandwiched by two spells at Portsmouth, before becoming the Tottenham gaffer in 2008. Redknapp’s biggest achievement to date remains winning the FA Cup in 2008 with Pompey, but Spurs fans will be hoping that he can propel Tottenham to greater things in the near future.
Transfer Record:
At West Ham Harry became renowned for picking up bargain players from abroad. He brought players such as Paolo Di Canio and Eyal Berkovic to Upton Park, as well as making use of the new Bosman ruling. During his 7 years at West Ham, Harry was involved in an incredible 134 transfers, with Redknapp employing the philosophy that there must be at least a couple of good players amongst all of those. Harry’s development of youngsters should also be acknowledged, as he helped to bring Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard through the Hammers’ youth system.
At White Hart Lane Redknapp has been given a bigger transfer kitty than at any time in his career and he is certainly making the most of it. His spending has proved to be successful more often than not, spending big transfers fees on Jermain Defoe, Wilson Palacios and Peter Crouch amongst others who have all helped Spurs’ fortunes greatly in recent times. Redknapp has more than contributed to Tottenham’s outlays of £150 million on incoming transfers in the past 18 months, and who would bet against Redknapp increasing his spending in January?
The Person:
Redknapp isn’t afraid to speak his mind either and brings some refreshing honesty to the Premiership, recently attacking “idiotic” agents, having previously been cleared of corruption charges himself. There is never a dull moment with Harry around and he isn’t afraid to show emotion as well, with Redknapp famously shedding a tear when he was sacked as manager of West Ham. The transfer window would certainly be a less exciting place if Harry wasn’t around, and Spurs’ Chairman Daniel Levy better be ready to open his cheque book again soon.
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