Morning:
13°c
I’d love to see Jamie Redknapp join Spurs’ coaching staff, says Harry
Tom Collomosse12.05.09
Harry Redknapp wants to bring his son Jamie to Tottenham in a part-time coaching role next season.
One of Redknapp's first moves when he took over at White Hart Lane last October was to add former Spurs stars Les Ferdinand, Tim Sherwood and Tony Parks to his staff, and the plan has worked as the club are now within touching distance of a Europa League spot — after they were bottom of the table when Redknapp became boss.
Jamie is working as a pundit for Sky Sports and has expressed little desire to move into full-time coaching in the short term.
Yet his father believes that his son is one of a number of former players who would make rapid progress in coaching.
Harry revealed: “Next year, I hope Jamie will come in and spend a couple of days a week working with the youth sides, just for the love of it. He is doing his coaching badges and he would be great with the kids. There are so many former players out there who have so much to offer.
“Tim and Les have done very well since they have been here but clubs do not give those boys a chance. I don't want to lose either of them but if a lower League club were to give them a chance, they would be fantastic.
“It is almost a crime that they are not involved, because there are so many who could do a great job.”
Redknapp is desperate for Tottenham to push for the top four next term, although he admits there is still a significant gap between the elite and their closest challengers.
Spurs's bitter rivals Arsenal have been left behind by Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea this term, raising fans' hopes at White Hart Lane that their team can overhaul the Gunners. Redknapp, however, urges caution — although the former Portsmouth boss believes he has identified the three players who will take his team to a higher level.
Djibril Cisse's agent has claimed that the Frenchman will sign a year-long deal with Spurs next season, although Redknapp denied this. The Spurs boss is thought still to be interested in January targets Stewart Downing, from Middlesbrough, and Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones, as well as Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson and Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari.
Redknapp continued: “We are short of three quality players to help us close that gap and I know the players I would like. Will we be able to get them? I don't know.
“Kenwyne Jones? I was interested in him in the winter but he signed a new contract at Sunderland in January, so I don't think so. But we need to juggle things around. We spent big money in January, so it's not just going to be a case of having massive money to spend.
As the chairman Daniel Levy said, we are going to have to be a bit creative in the transfer market.
“Maybe this year, Arsenal have not quite been at the level of the other three but there is still a gap there between us.”
* Harry Redknapp was talking at Wembley to promote FA Cup sponsors' E.ON's
www.familyfootball.co.uk website, from which fans can download a preview version of the match programme ahead of the Cup Final between Chelsea and Everton on 30 May.
Reader views (9)
Jonnie Of Brixton hope Jamie Rednapp does join his old man at Spurs then we won't have to see him in his to tight trousers and speaking a load of garbage.
perhaps jogging bottoms will be more comfortable for him.
- Peter, Essex
Congratulations Ted, we've been expecting you. Spurz eh? Best team in the world between the months of May and July.
- Dr. Joe, Northampton
Great ! Get Sandra in as well to help with the finishing.
- Ted, London
Why?..he is too busy sobbing about his cousin Frank Lampard not getting a result against Barcelona.Although its obvious Harry will match his wages at Spurs,somehow the sofa at Sky is an easier option for Jamie
- Jonnie Of Brixton, brixton,london,england
Spurs should do what Harry says.
Harry has done great for us. We were looking at relegation when he joined and the club was in a mess.
So I hope he gets the players and coaches he wants in the summer.
Watch out Wenger - Harry is after your 4th place.
- Ted Lee, Tottenham
If it means getting that ignorant, nepotistic, non-personality off the box then bring it on.
- Liam'S Left Foot, Essex
Harry Hosk, what a narrow minded and ridiculously short sighted viewpoint you have, Look at Alan Shearer at Newcastle as a case in point, no coaching experience but when you have playued the game at the highest level and for several top managers, and of course if you have the mentality, you can be of great benefit to a club, He has said Jamie will work with the acadamy....fantastic as far as i'm concerned bringhim in, we love ex players with a knowledge and love for the club. Imagine as a youngster being coached by these top players...legends. or being coached by a nobody who thinks he is great without ever having reached the heights. I know which I would prefer, they command respect and Jamie speaks with sense and authority. Do you not want the best for our club. We were 2nd bottom and looking ****e when Hrry took over, let him run the club and finally attack the top 6 and even maybe finishing above tht lot for once.
Mr Levy has stepped in and given his blessing to Harry, long may it continue. COYS
- Keith, Leighton Buzzard
What is it with this Redknapp nepotism? Its bad enough listening to Jamie defending his dad's clubs as a pundit on Sky. Harry's boy hadn't a negative word to say about Portsmouth, Southampton and now Spurs. Anyone watching his rant on Sky after the Chelsea/ Barca debacle would see what I mean. His cousin Frank Lampard was playing for Chelsea you see, so there was no way we were going to get a balanced view on this game by jamie, instead it was all about the dodgy ref and jamie understanding why Drogba and ballack acted like a couple thugs. Also doesn't Sky think that at least a smattering of basic english is required when the appoint X footballers as pundits. A little less of the Hoddle {Them players done good] speak, for a start.
- James Hennessy, london england
Shameful nepotism. Jamie has no experience as a coach and this is just Daddy putting him on the Gravy Train alongside his best buddy Sherwood - who does the square root of absolutely nothing for us. Interestingly though Jamie, Harry and Timmy are all directors of the same publishing company that prints the tawdry footballers "look at what I have got" rag, called "ICON".
Dear Mr Levy, please step in and stop this nonsense before you have another Venables situation on your hands.
- Harry Hosk, Enfield
