Harry Redknapp: I don’t hold any grudges over Tottenham sacking

Harry Redknapp has admitted his disappointment at being sacked as Tottenham Hotspur manager – but insisted he holds no grudge against chairman Daniel Levy.

Redknapp, 65, was dismissed on Wednesday night after less than four years in charge at White Hart Lane, with Levy insisting it was a decision the club had “not taken lightly” amid reports of a breakdown in the pair’s relationship.

“I met with the chairman and the club decided to move in a different direction,” Redknapp said on Thursday. “That’s their decision. I’ve had four fantastic years at Tottenham. I’ve absolutely loved every minute of it. I was lucky.

“The fans have been amazing for me, the support I got when things were difficult this year, I’ll never forget that – it was special.

“It’s disappointing but that’s football. The people who own the club make decisions they think are right so I abide by that. I don’t hold grudges. I don’t spend my life worrying about what could have been. That’s life, we all move on.”

Spurs missed out on a spot in next season’s Champions League despite finishing in fourth place after Chelsea won their first European title in Munich.

But Redknapp believes he would still have been sacked even if the Londoners had secured a spot in next season’s competition.

“We finished fourth and we were just unlucky in the end,” he said. “I still think the same outcome would have come if Chelsea hadn’t won [the Champions League]. I think the chairman would have gone down the same road as he went down yesterday.”

Redknapp, who led Tottenham into their first-ever Champions League campaign by guiding them to a fourth-place finish in 2009-10, admitted his regret at not being given more time to oversee a title challenge at White Hart Lane.

“I think it was a team that could have gone on and won the Premier League in the next year or two – and I think they [still] can, I just wish I’d have been able to see that through and be part of that.

“All you can do is leave the club in better shape than you found it in. I know I did that for sure.

“I think people who support Tottenham had a lot to smile about over the last four years. I think they were proud to be Tottenham fans and that’s the most important thing to me.”

Redknapp also insisted he is keen to get back to work at a new club should the right opportunity arise.

“Absolutely – I feel great, I don’t feel any different,” he said. “I love football – that’s what keeps me going. I love going in to work with the players every day – that’s what I’ll miss. But I’m not one for sitting at home.”

Open a bet365 account with £10 or more and you'll get a free bet of up to £200 on us. Click here for more information.

Like The Sport Review on Facebook:

Read more on: daniel levy, Harry Redknapp, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur.