Harry Redknapp: The Pride of Pompey (Paperback)

At West Ham during the sixties, Redknapp played with some of the era's most illustrious stars, including the late, incomparable Bobby Moore. But the game has moved on, and Redknapp's career unfolds against this background. Son Jamie, one of today's millionaire players, with a pop-star wife to match, brings a useful counterpoint to father Harry's earlier experiences. Redknapp senior puts it all into perspective, relating the tale of his near- fatal motor accident sustained in Italy following the 1990 World Cup. His co-passenger, a close friend, lost his life. Harry, however, lived to tell his tale and one should be grateful for that. Stories of managerial life with Bournemouth and West Ham are told with candour, and no little self- justification on issues surrounded by controversy at the time. Redknapp admits to mistakes, such as bringing the "foreign legion" to Upton Park in 1996, but explains the motivation behind them. Sharp observations on many of his contemporaries are mixed with humorous anecdotes, and the now almost obligatory references to drinking and gambling in football. Not everything moved on during Redknapp's time in football after all. --Trevor Crowe --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Synopsis
The hugely entertaining life story of one of the last remaining characters from the 'old school' of football club management. Now fully revised to include Harry's rancorous departure from his beloved West Ham, and his new and challenging role as boss of newly promoted Portsmouth. Harry Redknapp is an institution in the game; his experience of English football in the last three decades is unsurpassed, having been a player and long-serving boss at West Ham prior to his current role as manager of Portsmouth. His earlier appointment at West Ham to succeed former favourite Billy Bonds provoked much controversy. But Redknapp broke the mould: he was one of the first Premiership managers to recruit heavily from abroad, and he gives a refreshing insight into how such players as Raduciou, Dani, Berkovic, Paolo Di Canio and other foreign buys adjusted -- or in many cases, failed -- to adapt to the frenetic pace and unique culture of English football. Harry was also instrumental in the development at the Hammers' youth academy of talent such as Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand, with the latter's recent ban from the game for missing a drugs test eliciting some strong opinions from his ex-manager. At Portsmouth, Harry has yet again proved a shrewd operator in the transfer market, leading the club to promotion to the Premiership in 2003 on a shoestring budget, and recruiting the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Patrik Berger and Tim Sherwood to help Pompey compete against the rich elite. Away from football, Harry recalls his narrow escape from a near-fatal car accident in 1990 and the unique relationship with son, Jamie, the former England and current Spurs midfielder who is married to pop star Louise. With Harry's no-holds-barred views on the transfer market, and the betting and gambling that is rife in the game, this book is sure to be an eye-opener to the world of English football.

• Books > Biography > Sport > Football
• Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > Clubs > West Ham United

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