Time to recognise Redknapp’s true colours
He had to do it, he just couldn’t help himself. I was having such a good week but then Arry Redknapp reared his ugly, how did I spawn such a handsome son, head and ruined it all. My annoyance refersto the Tottenham managers signing of Eidur Gudjohnsen from under the noses of London rivals West Ham. The Icelandic striker was reported to have agreed terms with the Hammers and undergone a medical before the cheeky chappy Spurs manager decided to get involved. Like Messrs Sullivan and Gold, I am not happy.
Firstly, from a neutrals point of view I would have far rather have seen Gudjohnsen playing every week in partnership with Carlton Cole than battling it out with Defoe, Crouch and Robbie Keane (and that is assuming Redknapp manages to get rid of Roman Pavlyuchenko). He would have had a far greater impact and far more game time at Upton Park for exactly the same amount of money.
Then there is Redknapp and his role in the transfer. Regular readers of this blog will know I have somewhat of a unjustified hatred of the Tottenham manager, and you are perfectly within your rights to recognise his achievements in football in contrast to my own feelings. But I just think the man is admired as a character which is very different from the reality of the man. Over the last few years it has become increasingly obvious to us, the general public, just how seedy, corrupt and money obsessed football is and I feel Redknapp embodies much of the naivety towards these very serious issues. It is the fact he is seen as this jovial, jack-the-lad, alright me ol’ mug, character when in fact he is a very calculated, cold and clever man.
He knew Portsmouth’s downfall was on the horizon when he jumped ship to ‘rescue’ Tottenham from relegation. Fair enough, everyone has to look after number one. It was the fact that it was his and Peter Storrie’s outlandish spending which got them in the mess in the first place, and he had the nerve to not only reveal his exit to Sky Sports Newsbefore Portsmouth could issue any statement but also that he left by revealing Pompey’s financial troubles and claimed that the compensation Tottenham were paying was good business for the South coast club.
My issue here centres around the fact this is very sinister and successful man who is forever painted as one of the lads. The naivety we all show towards Redknapp and the way he works is reflective of the naivety we all have towards the way football works. We will probably be deprived of seeing as much of Gudjohnsen in action, West Ham (another of Redknapp’s ‘beloved’ former clubs) may suffer but nothing will be said for Redknapp’s cold and calculated actions and instead the media will marvel at his wheeling and dealing. If it is time to take football seriously then we must do the same with Redknapp.
2 Responses to “Time to recognise Redknapp’s true colours”
Good blog bro, couldn’t agree more. Thought the exact same thing when I read that eidur had already had the medical done at west ham when redknapp came in for him.
Pope and Swift » They have to win. It has to be worth it…right? - August 18th, 2010
[...] have never liked Harry Redknapp and I mean really, really don’t like the man. Therefore since he was appointed as Tottenham [...]
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