Harry Redknapp: My Autobiography Book

With West Ham comfortably settled in the top half of the Premiership at the time of writing, their manager's story provides an enjoyable illustration of the game since the sixties. Harry Redknapp's tale never wanders too far from the subject of the game itself, but manages to keep a down-to-earth flavour, as one might expect from a man born and bred in East London. At West Ham during the sixties, Redknapp played with some of the era's most illustrious stars, including the late, incomparable Bobby Moore. But the game has moved on, and Redknapp's career unfolds against this background. Son Jamie, one of today's millionaire players, with a pop-star wife to match, brings a useful counterpoint to father Harry's earlier experiences. Redknapp senior puts it all into perspective, relating the tale of his near- fatal motor accident sustained in Italy following the 1990 World Cup. His co-passenger, a close friend, lost his life. Harry, however, lived to tell his tale and one should be grateful for that. Stories of managerial life with Bournemouth and West Ham are told with candour, and no little self- justification on issues surrounded by controversy at the time. Redknapp admits to mistakes, such as bringing the "foreign legion" to Upton Park in 1996, but explains the motivation behind them. Sharp observations on many of his contemporaries are mixed with humorous anecdotes, and the now almost obligatory references to drinking and gambling in football. Not everything moved on during Redknapp's time in football after all. --Trevor CroweRead More