Harry Redknapp

Published: 14 June, 2012
by DAN CARRIER

THERE are two schools of thought regarding the tenure of Harry Redknapp at Spurs.

The White Hart Lane club parted company with their manager late last night (Wednesday) and his leaving has divided opinion amongst the Lilywhite faithful.

Many backed Harry: who can forget the triumphant 5-0 thumping of Newcastle the weekend after Fabio Capello left the England job and Harry seemed a shoo-in to replace him?

We sang his name throughout and pleaded with him to stay.

We were flying high and felt unbeatable.

The pro-Harry’s remind us he joined when we were struggling under Juande Ramos, with no wins in eight.

He got our team playing wonderful football, took us to the quarter-finals in the Champions League and only missed out this season because of a bizarre set of events involving Chelsea.

Harry detractors say he was tactically naïve: I listened uncomfortably to the voices ringing out across Loftus Road in April, as fans reminded Redknapp that Gareth Bale was the best left winger in the world and that was where he should be playing.

There were frequent accusations that he was only interested in Team Redknapp, and that by not pledging his future to the club when the England job was on offer he was responsible for us chucking away a 13-point lead over the team in fourth spot.

Then there was Redknapp’s reluctance to keep his fringe players happy – meaning when we did need them to come in, they seemed almost resentful.

Finally, there was the inability of Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy to bring in the reinforcements in January, a factor that stopped us from being genuine title contenders come April and May.

It is unclear tonight exactly why Redknapp’s tenure has come to a close. He had been offered a three-year deal in February, to ward off the FA suitors.

The grapevine says Redknapp blinked first in contract negotiations.

The rumour mill says he was at first unhappy to accept a rolling contract and wanted a longer deal.

But Levy decided the club was bigger than the Redknapp ego so said thanks, but no thanks, here’s an extension and we’ll see how we go, or off down the High Road with you. Perhaps Levy has an ace up his sleeve: he spent the Spring headhunting, when it seemed Redknapp would be leading England in the Euros.

Maybe Levy has a Plan B.

It’s said Everton manager David Moyes is in line, but some fans would prefer Jurgen Klinsmann or Slaven Bilic.

Whatever comes next, we’ve enjoyed three t’riffic seasons with Harry at the helm.

It’s been the best spell since the 1980s in terms of the flair we’ve seen on a weekly basis, and for that, I’ll mourn his departure.

Thanks for the memories Harry: we’ll always have Milan.