Harry Redknapp, who has managed Tottenham for four seasons until 2012, denies that he can make a comeback at Tottenham, and believes the club is now one of the favourites to be relegated from the Premier League.
Tottenham are just one point above the relegation zone after a 3-1 home defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to Crystal Palace on Thursday night. (Where Jørgen Strand Larsen was one of the goalscorers for Crystal Palace)
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The result also leaves Igor Tudor with three losses in three games since he took over from Thomas Frank last month.
After the loss to Palace, several Spurs supporters have called on the club to bring Redknapp back for a new spell as manager. However, the 79-year-old veteran manager, who has not coached a team since leading Birmingham City in 13 games in 2017, does not believe in a return.
“Four or five weeks ago, I really couldn’t imagine Tottenham getting involved in a relegation battle,” Redknapp told talkSPORT on Friday.
“It’s only gotten worse every week. West Ham are playing very well now, which is great. Nottingham Forest took an important point the other day. The only other team that gets sucked into the game now is Leeds. I thought they were safe because they have had a good season and played very well.
But Tottenham are in the middle of it now, I have to admit that. Of the four teams that are still fighting, they seem to be favourites to be relegated. It’s so desperate.”
Tottenham are one point above the relegation zone after their 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace
When asked about Tudor’s honest assessment of Spurs’ poor performance after the losses, Redknapp replied: “I don’t know the man. He has been in the game for a long time and coached top clubs. He looks a bit tough, doesn’t he? He looks like someone you absolutely don’t want to get lost in.
But I don’t know if that’s the right approach. The self-esteem is obviously low. When they play at home, it seems like they are not performing and need more confidence. They need faith in the team.
They look like they need an arm around them, a little chat with each player to get them on the team and get them to start believing. To say: ‘Look, go out and do your best, try to enjoy playing football’. Because right now they look like a bunch of nervous players. They look really nervous, and that’s dangerous.
West Ham made a couple of signings, Summerville is back from injury, and he is on fire. He and Bowen are on the same team, and they now have a striker. West Ham are starting to believe, their crowd is fantastic, they’re going to stick around. I think they will play their way out of trouble. Five weeks ago, they looked finished.
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Igor Tudor has lost all three of his first games as Tottenham manager after taking over for Thomas Frank
Nottingham Forest pick a few results here and there. They have some good players. The other day they played with three stoppers and looked very physically strong. They will be hard to beat.”
When asked if he would agree to return to Tottenham if the club got in touch, Redknapp replied: “Of course I have to, right? But that’s not going to happen.
No, I don’t imagine that happening. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I’m going to Cheltenham.
Wednesday I have a horse called Taurus Bay. It runs in the first race. It has a chance, 20/1. It’s an open race, but it has an opportunity.”
