Leeds United: Harry Redknapp reveals truth behind Elland Road job links
Harry Redknapp admits he would have jumped at the opportunity to manage Leeds United during their time of need earlier this year.
The experienced coach was touted as a possible replacement for Jesse Marsch in February [The Mirror], but Leeds ultimately opted for Javi Gracia, before sacking the Spaniard and appointing Sam Allardyce.
Redknapp, whose best achievement arguably came in 2008 when winning the FA Cup with Portsmouth, has now revealed he was never actually contacted over the Elland Road job.
“I would have walked there if someone had actually asked me, I’ll be truthful,” Redknapp said on the Proper Football Podcast with Ben Shepherd and Chris Kamara [23 November].
“I said my life’s good, I’m happy, but if there was [an approach] I would take it. I wouldn’t be able to say no if there was someone who came along and said ‘Harry, would you be able to manage us?’
“I’m sure I would dive in head first like I’ve always done. Then I’d think about it afterwards and realise I should never have done that. But that never happened. I was never in the running for that job.”
No chance
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: Redknapp’s name was only ever in the frame to succeed Marsch due to him publicly declaring his interest in the job.
Redknapp has been out of work since 2017, when struggling at Birmingham City, so this was never an appointment that made any sense. Then again, neither did turning to Big Sam.
There is no doubt that Leeds were the victims of their own demise in last season’s terrible Premier League campaign, as they turned from one manager to another with little success.
Who knows? Maybe Redknapp would have come on board in February, lifted the dressing room and guided the club to safety. More likely, though, it would have panned out the exact same way it did.
Redknapp has had a coaching career to be very proud of, and he remains a great TV personality, but his days of coaching in the Premier League – or indeed the Championship – are behind him.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been given renewed hope of an instant Premier League return by new information that has emerged.