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Final farewell? Shock for Pompey fans as Harry ponders future after Wembley showpiece
Last updated at 10:55am on 15.05.08Harry Redknapp is seriously considering quitting football after Saturday's FA Cup Final. The 61-year-old Portsmouth manager could call it a day and hopes to go out on a high with victory over Cardiff City at Wembley. He is determined to secure what would be the first major medal of a long and eventful managerial career.
Redknapp is contemplating retirement because of concerns for the welfare of his wife, Sandra, and anger at his treatment by the police during an investigation into football corruption. He had privately threatened to quit earlier this season before having a change of heart.
The retiring type? Harry Redknapp will take his side to Wembley but says he is then ready to walk away
But friends and colleagues believe that Redknapp could actually carry out the threat on this occasion and walk away from football after the weekend.
Redknapp still cares passionately about the game but cares more for his wife, who has suffered ill health since City of London police officers raided their Dorset home while he was away on a scouting mission last November. Mrs Redknapp was left deeply traumatised by the experience, not least because the officers were accompanied by journalists.
While an incensed Redknapp has launched legal proceedings against the police, his wife has also had to cope with the recent death of her twin sister Pat, the mother of Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.
Redknapp described his 58-year-old wife as "inconsolable". "One minute Pat was here, the next she was gone," he said, trying to express the shock and sadness felt by the family. The reaction of certain fans after the final game of the Barclays Premier League season also angered him. His players were booed off the pitch after losing at home to Fulham on Sunday.
He said: "It slaughters me. I can't stand that. They have obviously not been coming here for the last 40 years and watching a load of dross. They don't realise. It is those who jumped on the bandwagon in the last year or two who don't know what we've done.
"We finished eighth in the League and got to the Cup Final. I think people have to realise it isn't going to get much better."
Redknapp is still adored by his players and concedes it would be hard to walk away from a 'fantastic' contract, but last night those close to him said they had never seen him so low.
He recognises that Saturday represents the pinnacle of his career and will not allow anything to disrupt his preparations.
Afterwards, though, might be the time to bid an emotional farewell as well as the chance to celebrate his finest hour.
However, he had a change of heart when offered the Newcastle job last December and could yet be persuaded to stay and build on Portsmouth's recent success.
