Has Harry still not done enough to earn his Spurs?
TF90M's James Bailey wonders why Harry still has his doubters among sections of the WHL faithful.
Down and out and at the bottom of the table is the situation Tottenham Hotspur found themselves in before the arrival of Harry Redknapp. Adrift and in turmoil following the horrendous start to the season under the guidance of Juande Ramos, Redknapp faced the unenviable task of changing the fortunes of the North London club. Now just a few months on and Spurs are challenging for a place in the UEFA Europa League. How things change. Yet Harry ‘Houdini', as he has been so frequently lauded, has still not managed to convince all members of the White Hart Lane faithful that he is the right man for the job.
Redknapp has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in domestic football management post his playing career, previously taking the managerial role at Bournemouth, West Ham, Southampton and Portsmouth. After toiling for 44 years as player and manager the charismatic boss finally struck gold by winning the FA Cup with Portsmouth during the 2007/2008 campaign.
Whilst controversy and allegations of corruption have followed Redknapp around, there is no doubting that the manager gets the best out of the players at his disposal. At West Ham Redknapp helped bring through a number of young players from the club's academy, including Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and his nephew Frank Lampard. In contrast at Portsmouth Redknapp rejuvenated the career of many ageing stars such as Sol Campbell, David James and Kanu.
Though when Redknapp was appointed as Spurs boss many wondered how his form as a manager at arguably smaller sides would translate into his new job at a bigger club.
However since Redknapp's arrival, not only has he guided the team to safety and now challenging for Europe, with crowd pleasing results against London neighbours Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham, but he also steered the side to another Wembley Cup Final.
Despite this seemingly successful combination of events, some Spurs fans are yet to be convinced of Redknapp's aptitude for the post.
Some remain adamant the club needs a manager with more silverware successes, a man who has masterminded triumph after triumph, a coach with European pedigree. Yet stuck at the bottom of the Premier League, who realistically did Spurs fans think would wish to join a side who in the past have treated managers like disposable objects. And to credit Redknapp he was certainly the best man to get the team out of trouble albeit if he has not managed a so-called big club before. Surely with his years of experience why should Redknapp not be able to lead Spurs to victory? Perhaps if Redknapp had been with Spurs from the beginning of the season the club could be challenging for a Champions League place currently.
Others may be questioning that the appointment of Redknapp and the events of the past season have been a step back from the giddy heights that Martin Jol took the team. That though cannot be blamed on Redknapp and is a matter to be taken up with Spurs supremo Daniel Levy.
And anyone who is against Redknapp for his previous ties with arch-rivals West Ham, and even Arsenal who he supported as a boy, needs to realise change occurs in football. And anyway as the chant goes:
Chim-Chiminee, Chim-chiminee, Chim-chim Cheroo, ‘Arry was a Hammer but now he's a blue!
CLICK HERE to visit TF90M
- If they were to offer Spurs £10m, I'll drive him there myself
- Time for Spurs to cut their losses and look for an 'Italian Touch'
- Will Spurs be tempted to take the £20m and run in the summer window?
- The £27m outlay that has brought Spurs to the brink of salvation
- Harry should look to reunite partnership with £10m raid
Related articles
Rate it:
Leave a Comment