Redknapp steps down after just over two years in charge
If you happened to endure Sky Sports News’ coverage of transfer deadline day last night you’ll probably have seen a forlorn looking Harry Redknapp being interviewed very late in the day.
The normally bubbly 67-year-old cut a dejected figure as he bemoaned the fact that he could only get Mauro Zarate in on loan and that targets like Matt Jarvis, who Redknapp also wanted to loan, were scuppered by Premier League rules on two loans from the same club.
Only yesterday, QPR chairman Tony Fernades sounded an ominous tone on Twitter about transfer dealings. “No more cheque book,” he wrote. “We have good players. Bought all the players manager asked for in summer. Our players not mercenaries. Good guys. If something interesting comes up we would look at it. But I’m not optimistic. Given the right motivation, tactics and coaching we can achieve much more.”
Now it seems a new person will be in charge of the motivation, tactics and coaching.
Here is the statement Redknapp made on the QPR site, in which injury was cited as the reason for his decision to step down.
“I have had such a fantastic time at QPR. I would like to thank the Board, the players and all my staff, and especially the supporters who have been absolutely fantastic to me since I arrived at the club for their tremendous support.
“Sadly I need immediate surgery on my knee which is going to stop me from doing my job in the coming weeks. It means I won’t be able to be out on the training pitch every day, and if I can’t give 100 per-cent I feel it’s better for someone else to take over the reins.
“My relationship with Tony Fernandes has been one of the highlights of my footballing career and I wish the club every success. I am confident they will survive in the Premier League this year.”
UPDATE: 6.50: In a series of interviews this evening, Redknapp has clarified exactly why he stepped down.
“I haven’t got the hump, we haven’t had a row. I knew some while ago that we were not going to be able to get much done in January.
“We had one real target on the last day, Emmanuel Adebayor, because we are short upfront, but he was too much money. I accept that.
“There are no hard feelings on my part. I’ve not had a problem with Tony Fernandes in all my time there.
“I know what people think – that I’ve been sacked, or stormed off because we couldn’t get the players in – but I can’t control what people think.”
