FourFourTwo UK – September 2019

UPFROnT

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12 February 2016 FourFourTwo.com

UPFROnT

FFT has just rung the doorbell outside

Harry Redknapp’s Dorset home, and

it’s produced a familiar tune.

If Portsmouth’s relationship with their

former manager has been complicated

over the years, his love for them remains

undiminished. The chimes of ‘Play Up

Pompey’ are ringing out and soon he

appears at the front door with a smile,

welcoming us inside.

Harry has long lived on the exclusive

peninsula of Sandbanks, just a few miles

from Bournemouth, and when we enter

the living room, we’re treated to a lovely

sea view. On a summer’s morning like

this, you could confuse it for the French

Riviera, if it wasn’t for Barney the British

bulldog prowling the back garden.

As wife Sandra offers us a drink, we

can’t help notice a tiny plastic trophy

sat incongruously in the corner of this

stylishfrontroom,witha greencritter

fixedtoitsbaseandthewords,‘Harry

Redknapp:I’mA CelebrityGetMeOut

OfHere,2018’.

“Whatis that?”Redknappaskshimself,

reachingdowntopickit upandinspect.

“Neverbleedingseenthatinmylife!”

Thetrophyis obviouslynothismost

prizedpossession,buttherealityshow

victory introduced the 72-year-old to

a new audience last December. Before

that, a highly eventful career in football

management, which he’s ready to sit

down and discuss...

How well did Lee Chapman take being

substituted for a fan in a pre-season

game for West Ham?

Jimmy Gray, Ilford

No, Lee wasn’t subbed, he wasn’t even

there! We were playing Oxford City, and

this West Ham fan was driving me mad.

He kept saying, “Ain’t it about time you

bought a striker this year, Redknapp –

we ain’t got bleedin’ Chapman again,

have we?” He just went on and on and

on – he wouldn’t leave me alone. Then

we had a few injuries, I had no subs left

and I asked him, “Can you play?” He was

shocked. I stuck him on in the second

half and he played upfront. He was all

right – he ran about and tried hard!

Which player kicked the ball that hit

you mid-interview at Portsmouth?

Richard Way, via Twitter

[Laughs] I don’t know! He was a young

player, 20 or 21, a full-back, but I swear

I don’t remember his name. [FFT: Did

you have another go at him after the

interview had finished?] Nah, I didn’t

bother. He was on his way out anyway,

I think. It was my first season there,

and he was one of the players who

was already at the club. He was mad –

I think he probably did it on purpose!

What was going through your mind

when Gennaro Gattuso squared up to

Joe Jordan in Milan?

Sharon Twyford, Enfield

I thought he obviously didn’t know Joe!

As old as Joe was, I think he’d still have

flattened Gattuso. Joe’s the fittest man

I’ve ever seen. That Champions League

run with Tottenham was a great time.

There was an amazing atmosphere for

the European nights at Tottenham.

Who was the best player you coached

in your career?

Adam Shyaka, via Instagram

I had a lot of good players when they

were really young, like Frank Lampard

and Rio Ferdinand. Gareth Bale would

have to be in there, plus Luka Modric,

and Ledley King was an amazing player.

Ledley didn’t train in the week, not one

day, but he’d play on Saturday. Friday

morning would be the first time he’d

put his kit on. He’d slowly jog two laps

of the pitch, and then give me the

thumbs up. I’d be thinking, ‘We’ll win

tomorrow – Ledley’s fit’.

Which of your former players would

make a great manager?

Kevin Graham, Lancaster

I’d like to see Rio Ferdinand have a go

at management. He’d do really well if

he got a chance somewhere.

How did your stint as Oxford City’s

assistant under Bobby Moore help to

shape your career as a manager?

Max Pollard, via Twitter

That was my first ever job in coaching.

Me and Bobby were big pals, and we

played at Seattle Sounders together.

I started doing some coaching with the

young American lads there, Bobby saw

what I did and said, “If I ever get a job,

I’d love you to come and work with me.”

I said, “I’d love that.” Bobby came back,

phoned me and said, “I’ve taken over at

Oxford City.” I thought he meant United!

Bobby knew nothing about non-league

and nor did I. We had one season there

Upfront editor and it was tough, but great experience.

Chris Flanagan

6 September 2019 FourFourTwo

YOU ASK THE QUESTIOnS

WordsChrisFlanaganPortraitsLeonCsernohlavek

I only realised Darren Bent was

at Derby when I turned up at

training. I thought, ‘Oh my God,

no... he hates the sight of me!’

HARRY REDKnAPP