At the time I was totally ****ed off that Harry's head had been turned by the England job, and as a result our results suffered.
However, having had time to think on it I really don't blame him. This was his 'dream' job. He's been a manager for 30 odd years, was in his 60s and suddenly the pinnacle of football management (for him) seemed within his grasp. Whose head wouldn't be turned in those circumstances? I know mine would, and I think anyone who denies they would is a liar.
It's interesting that when Bale decided he wanted to manoeuvre his move to Madrid so many people were saying "Ah I won't hold a grudge, it's a big move for him....moving to the biggest club in the world blah blah blah". I wonder how many of those people are the ones ****ging Redknapp off for doing the exact same thing.
Some of the insults and name calling that went on here towards Redknapp was and is awful, and it made me ashamed to be a Spurs fan after what Redknapp had brought to our team. Exciting football, into the Champions League and pundits calling us the most exciting team in the league to watch. Then those same people defend AVB, who has brought the exact opposite.
I love you man, but you're way off-base with some of this IMO.
The insults? I absolutely agree.
But let me also make sure it's remembered how much he played us. Repeatedly. He called our fans 'stupid' and he, in turn, insulted players such as Bent and Pav with 'witticisms' that were crude and embarrassing. He also ducked and dove like the dodgiest of dodgy geezers, never ONCE holding himself accountable for the poor results. And ultimately, at the end, he tried to mug everyone off by saying WE were shafting HIM when he'd spent nearly 5 months virtually checked out of a job that (at one point) I thought only Eddie The Eagle Edwards could've ****ed up with regards to finishing 3rd.
Oh, never did care what pundits had to say about us…one final thing…there was some superb, exciting football, but let us not forget the countless games where we'd get a launcher from Daws to Crouchinio's bonce, who'd nod it into VdV's onrushing path for a pop at goal. It was effective but I doubt Cryuff, Hoddle or even Zidane would've found it attractive. Effective, yes.
Yes, he gave me some fantastic times and I am grateful for them. I was not grateful when it was apparent to me that he was ****ing off his job, first during the season we were in the CL and then 'that' season. Even then I'd have forgiven him if he'd shown some accountability. But none. Not an ounce.
Say all you like about AVB, but the man worked his ****ing ******** off trying to get it right. He put time in, real time. That he wasn't, or couldn't, or didn't, is another debate. You cannot question his engagement in the job. He worked hard. He didn't publicly complain about not getting Moutinho or Villa or Willian, he didn't use Bale's summer reversal as an excuse. He got on with it.
So yes, I will defend AVB as a man of integrity and honor. He tried and for whatever reasons, it didn't work out for him.
But Harry? Let me just say, I would not buy a used car from the man but I'd happily spend an hour in the pub listening to his cheeky-chappie-****erknee-geezah craic talk without believing a bit of it.
AVB has a degree of integrity for me. Harry? Not much...
