Harry Redknapp braced for ‘toughest’ test of his career at QPR
New QPR boss Harry Redknapp admits he faces the most difficult test of his career as he bids to lead Hoops to safety this term
Harry Redknapp admits he is facing the toughest challenge of his managerial career as the new Queens Park Rangers boss targets Premier League survival.
The 65-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the Hoops after the former West Ham United manager was named as Mark Hughes’ replacement on Saturday.
Redknapp is no stranger to relegation battles having taken charge of struggling Portsmouth in December 2005 and leading the south coast club to safety.
With QPR currently on four points at the bottom of the Premier League table, Redknapp is under no illusions about the size of the task at Loftus Road, but he is confident of keeping the Hoops in the top flight.
“It’s a tough, tough job,” said Redknapp. “It’s the toughest job in my career and much tougher than those two jobs [Portsmouth and Tottenham].
“But it’s one that I’m looking forward to and I am reasonably optimistic we can pull it off.”
Redknapp’s blueprint for survival revolves around getting back to basics with the QPR squad as he looks to mastermind their first Premier League victory of the season.
The new manager wants to see more commitment and desire from Hughes’ expensively-assembled team, with Redknapp insisting he will be unafraid to drop under-performing big-name players.
“We’ve got four points from 13 games, which is an incredibly low total,” added Redknapp, whose side travel to Sunderland on Tuesday.
“We’ve got to do better, if we don’t, we’ve no chance. It’s going to be tough. If they won’t work hard, they’re not going to play. I need people who are going to work.
“When you lose the ball, you chase it. It’s what you learnt in the school playground. That’s what I need – 11 players with the ability to put the effort in.
“If they don’t, then I’ll find 11 players who will run about and put the effort in. That’s all I can do.
“I’ve no time for players who are going to throw their arms in the air if they lose the ball. We’re in a relegation battle and we’ve only got four points.
“If everybody works, the ability is there, I’ve got to get the best out of them, if they do that [starting working], we’ll survive.”
