Carrot and stick, SD... My view of the Redknapp situation isn't that far from Spurf's, but I appreciate what Redknapp's done for the club during his tenure. I've been a loud and consistent critic of some of his methods and especially his media dalliances, but he's consistently got good results on the pitch. He certainly won't struggle to find another club.
I fear that Harry blew it the other day when he said that he hoped the contract talks would be finalised very soon, otherwise it would be unsettling for the players. A very bad move on his part for two reasons. One, it sounded like an admission (after all those strenuous denials at the time) that his open courting of the England job had undermined the team's stability at a crucial point in the season (and we all know what happened after that!); and two, it sounded very much like a threat, which is not the sort of thing to which Mr Levy takes kindly. Like a lot of other people, I didn't want him to go when the England job was being fanfared. But that was largely because it was mid-season, and a dreadful bit of timing (thank you, Mr Capello!). The fourth place finish was so bizarrely unsatisfactory in the end that I don't find myself weeping at his departure. I think maybe we did need to move on. And getting the situation sorted now, before next season starts, seems to me like an intelligent and brave decision. Not even a very good manager (which HR has proved to be: very good.... but not perfect) is entitled to hold the club up to ransom! Interestingly, of course, and in contrast, the club are clearly going to try to hang on to the leading players (as with Modric in January). That seems to me to be the right sense of priorities. [Hmmmmmm.....Maybe some of Harry's salary could be used to pay Adebayor?!???!!] Let's hope a speedy resolution follows. I can't believe that no-one's been lined up. After all, the stand-off over HR's demands (reinforced by his appointment of an agent) has been pretty public knowledge for a while now. Time enough for all the behind-the-scenes wheelers and dealers to get their act together. I have no particular favourite for the job. My gut reaction is not to want a media circus man or a loony "personality" manager. My personal choice (OK, I know I'm probably alone in this) would have been Chris Hughton, for a number of reasons. But we've missed the opportunity with him. Just let's get on with it. By the way if we ARE going to sign Vertonghen, how am I ever going to find a rhyme for him? I shall be worrying about that for weeks now.
Audrey,MANY top names will apply for the position so don't worry,we will find the right man if we look.
If we follow through on what the Spanish press were reporting a couple of months ago and bring in Txiki Begiristain as a DoF, the potential applicants for the job will certainly improve - and by that I mean the odds on Mick McCarthy taking over will be longer than the odds on a managerial double act of HIAG and YV.
It just built up SD. Starting with the remark about Bent & Sandra. Although I agreed with what Harry said, I just felt it was appalling to say it in public about his own player. From then on every time he spoke out of turn it just jarred until I developed a basic dislike of the man. Then the lack of tactical awareness, the dodgy use of the squad. Things like putting Pav down in public by telling the world that he didn't work hard enough and then putting him on in many hiding to nothing situations. In the end I wasn't that impressed with Pav but I don't think we got the best from him. So many poor decisions IMO and finally the England saga which again he handled poorly IMO. I am very glad to see him go. Thanks for your help in building a good squad Harry and thanks for some exciting football along the way.
Thanks very much and good luck, Harry, yes. I'm very grateful for the upbeat tone of the article and posts, because I have to admit the news left me feeling sad. There are a million possibilities, but I'm afraid this is going to be a step backward for next year at least. It was always going to be hard to finish in the top four, but now it certainly looks harder. Well, in any case, I loved watching the team last year and can only hope they'll be as much fun to see play this year. I also hope Levy takes a chance on a young, rising manager in any case, and especially if a big name isn't available. I've mentioned this before, but my prejudice here is from my local Pittsburgh Steelers, who've hired three straight thirty somethings as coach while becoming the top NFL franchise while the rest of the league went with the usual suspects.
