Redknapp
Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 11:12PM Some general musings and observations from today.
Sky Sports News constantly running the 'Luka Modric wants to leave Spurs' story then breaking the Daniel Levy statement response and then still continuing to run the original story like it was completely irrelevant that the club had shut up shop over any possible transfer.
Harry Redknapp on TalkSport. Never listen to this station (I guess only idiots do) but tend to look for relevant interviews or sound bites when told to do so and our gaffer post-Levy statement gave one of his routine interviews to the station.
Read this article for a general overview.
Do you think he makes it clear enough that it's Daniel Levy's promise that the player will not be sold?
He's relentless with it. Okay, so Levy does have the power to buy and sell but once more Harry hardly endears himself with his disassociation tactics. Seems hellbent to get the message across that if anything hits the fan it's not going to projectile from his backside. It will be Daniel in urgent need of Imodium.
But then it's no great surprise. Harry looks after Harry. He's hardly one to talk about loyalty. But clearly his agenda is to always come out smelling of roses so in case you've not quite grasped it: IF MODRIC IS SOLD, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HARRY.
Daniel Wynne of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust was also on TalkSport and mentioned how he believes Harry should be more positive about the club when speaking to the media. The same Harry that uses 'them' when referring to us? Disassociation tactics, invisible divide...no matter how you wish to describe it that's how he operates. At least that's how he began to operate last season when the pressure was on. Said it many times, he does great PR that will always appease his pals in the press but he can't quite master the relationship with the fans when things get a little pricky.
I agree with Wynne, Harry needs to be far more positive. But to do so he has to be consistent. I lost count of the times last season when we were in the race and out the race according to Harry. He don't half contradict. He talks like a consultant to THFC rather than our manager (to quote a nail on the head tweet). Perhaps that's all he is. Steady the shape, get us into prime condition for a younger more long term appointment post-2012.
Probably doesn't really matter what Harry says as long as he gets his message across clearly in the dressing room. He loves to have a word on camera, in a mic, so he's hardly ever going to shut up. So he'll continue to churn out the sound bites. Harry should have kept it short and sweet today.
Alas, just roll with the punches.
Love him or hate him, he's worked wonders for us. He has a chance to do so again this up and coming season.
Reader Comments (27)
£30m or an unhappy Luka? I just dunno any more.
Depressed.
If levy does in the end decide to keep modric then it will be a big test of harrys man management skills. could end up with a berbatov senario that may end up in tears for redknapp , his reputation and the whole club....maybe thats why harrys taking this line.
It's one season, his agent will probably just tell him to play to the best of his abilities and he'll get a move next year. But we'll finish 3rd, win a cup and he wont want to leave.
Yes. I'm drunk.
Spot on. Was discussing both issues with my old man earlier on today. Affectively has made sure Levy understands the seriousness of the statement he has just made and that we won't forget about it. What would happen now if a bid of 50mil was placed? It would've been easy for Levy to break it gently to us that Luka's head had been turned and it was best for the club to sell up, but he didn't. He reiterated he was staying put. In terms of the comments made by Wynne he's correct, Harry gave some rather bewildering interviews this season most notably 'we can win the league' was soon followed by 'this is as good as it gets' concerning finishing 5th.
Could be that we're really REALLY not gonna sell and Levy won't budge at any price.
Don't think Luka will become disruptive - he'll be happy enough to provide the extra 15 goals we need to qualify for the CL.
COYS
Modric WILL & has to be sold now especially after blowing the Chelski trumpet (F@ckin Judas!)
this will then have a knock-on effect which will then see Redknapp resign due to "broken promises" & then the exodus will begin. : (
WTF happened to loyalty???
UP THE SPURS!!!
We need to get on the front foot and lift any impression that we are anything other than title contenders ourselves. Get on offer in on a striker, why not make a bid for Daniel Sturidge while we're at it.
I'd consider selling Modric for the right price say £40m as long as we can bring in suitable replacements before the deal is done, we don't want unhappy players, if he is not going to deliver than best let him go look what Liverpool did with the Torres cash.
This has all been a blessing in disguise. Levy/Lewis know we HAVE to spend big now.
They have to show that Spurs are not all mouth and trousers.
I believe that Modric will stay, otherwise our Chairman is going to look a complete wanker and 'Arry has more-or-less echoed those sentiments on 'Talk Sport'.
This has been the kick up the arse that they needed.
Now go and get a fucking striker!!!
So you start of by criticising talkSPORT for bringing you an interview with not only the Spurs manager but the chairman of the supporters trust and instead of calling in you criticise the information that you write about?
If Modric does decide he really wants to leave at all costs, then give him a years loan to Barca or Madrid or someone. 2 benefits to that, Our rivals don't get him and maybe he'll return to us next year a better player if we get in the champions League
So you start of by criticising talkSPORT for bringing you an interview with not only the Spurs manager but the chairman of the supporters trust and instead of calling in you criticise the information that you write about?
Jun 18, 2011 at 11:59 PM | _-_
I don't listen to talksport but if someone informs of anything worth hearing, I'll endeavour to hear it via their site, long after its been broadcasted. Don't get to listen to the radio during the day. Too busy chasing a rugrat around the house.
My criticism of talksport is their phone-ins and the manner in which they wind up for the purpose of reaction. My dig was a Redknappism.
If I've misunderstood your post, let me know. Ta.
"Unhappy Luka?" sob, sob. So all a player has to do to be sold off and pick up a boatload of cash in wages is to say he's unhappy. I know a lot of people who could be happier in another job. Tough.
You're under contract, Luka, and you are a professional. You shot your mouth off to the wrong people and caused a lot of trouble. deal with it. Play football, help Spurs get back into the CL and while you're doing that, watch Chelsea's aging squad drop out. Wave at them as they go by.
And enjoy the time of your life sat WHL.
One of the things that niggles me about Chelscum's pursuit of Luka....is the real reason they are intent on signing him that they want to have him there as a carrot to entice Harry there as their manager?
Now as much as i am grateful ho Harry for what he has done, there are planty of good guys out there capable of replacing him, but what I dont want, is him taking all of his knowledge of the club and how it operates(see how I did a Harry there and spoke of our club as a separate entity!!!), with him
Thing about Levy, is that with the Berbatoss scenario, he was 100% honest 3 years ago in that he said he wanted to keep the Bulgarian, but could not guarantee he could or would, this time he is adamant that Modric WONT be leaving.
What is funny about this all(just out of pure Berbatoss revenge) is that Manure are powerless in all of this, they want Modric, but simply know that Chelscum or Citeh will financially blow them clean out of the water!!!
I'm lucky enough to listen to ts most days.
Let week gab marcotti made good sense about getting rid of Harry now as his loyalty to spurs is minimal should England come knocking.
People calling luka judas? Wise the fuck up. Sol was luka isn't. If people don't understand where he's coming from then check your facts.
Chairman stating we won't chase top 4. Manager stating 5th is as good as it gets.
If luka wants to win trophies good on him. Stevie g saying this week they will aim to win the league. That's what Harry needs to say, but too concerned about the England job to put his neck on the line.
Facts are we have been a mid table team through the prem years, chance we had to break into the top 4 levy did not invest last summer. Or Harry told him crouch and defoe were good enough.
Remember once harry, luka even levy have gone we will still be here and still Spurs.
COYS
HE CANNOT BE SOLD AT ANY PRICE! id rather he rot in reserves than be sold. As soon as he is sold bale n vdv will go. then so will the likes of dawson n walker when they realise everyones going and liverpool have come callin. and then what kind of players will you attract. europe league hopefuls. LEVY HAS IT SPOT ON. all u people havent a clue. work it out. and harrys keepin himself out of it because its him managing luka on a day to day, not levy. levys boss but its harry who needs a good relationship with luka. no taxi thanks
Nice to see you jumping on the slag Harry bandwagon and wheeling out the nonentity Wynne.
Heres a little food for thought,
If Spurs do manage to get to the start of the season with Modric still onboard Harry will have to get him focused and up for it.
It's pretty good psycology to distance himself from the decision to deny modric the move,in private maybe even offer him some sympathy.
Footballers tend to play for their manager more than their clubs,I mean you don't really hear of a club "losing the dressing room" do you?
I suggest you try to think through the internal politics before taking snipes at Redknapp
The Final responsibility of who we buy or sell ultimately falls on Levys shoulders,which may well be a good thing, unless your trying to buy a decent stiker.....possibly.
Whatever, I personally feel both Levy and RedKnapp have dealt with the situation well so far.
Cant we just get rid of the wheeler-dealer prick and move forward. I'm all for moving up despite 'the best we've ever had it' as that car salesman puts it. brum have an opening that suits him.
All Levy has done with his statement is make it clear it is NOT HIS DECISION to sell Modric. It's just a PR statement. He's not talking to Chelsea, he's talking to Spurs fans and Modric. IF MODRIC ASKS FOR A TRANSFER Levy can then accept an offer without any fear of being blamed for selling him – he's told the world he won't consider doing so, BUT, if the player demands the transfer, officially, Levy will be able to let him go with no criticism attached to him. He'll say "Despite us telling him we valued him beyond ANY offer, he has officially told us he wants to leave, so we have no option but to release an unhappy player".
Surely the statement has no ambiguity in terms of even contemplating a statement, even if Luka attempts to strike/request a transfer?
Any ways - expect the Croatian to commit to Spurs any hour now...
This is line in the sand stuff. If the Powers That Be say " not for sale", they have to dig in and mean what they say...and damn the torpedoes. He is an intregal player to get back in the top 4. Some might say he is replacable. My question would be by who and for how much, given what is currently available?
Top clubs hang on to players. So let's not just talk the talk...let's walk the walk!
COYS!!
Redknapp knows what's going on behind the scenes. He's angry, as can be evidenced listening to the broadcast, because he knows Levy may well end up selling. Harry's calling out his Chairman. 'You sell him you're not a man of your word' is what he said - and he said it publicly. More than once. Purposely driving his point home I'd say. He's putting his a** on the line. In effect saying to Levy 'you sell Modric, you can get rid of me too'. This AFTER Levy puts out such a strong worded statement. I think it's genuine cause for concern regarding Modric.
Rav has it right. While we wouldn't be as good without Luka we would get by. Players come and go. But - and this is key - selling Luka would be a sign to our other stars to look to move on, and it would seriously impair our ability to attract talent. That is why Levy is deadly seriously, why his statement is unambiguous In Levy we have to trust. He is my hero. (Please don't let me down Daniel, I believed Luka was a cut above and look how wrong I was there....)
Cappello to inter
Harry to England
Levy gets world class manager
EVERYBODY wins
Jill that's the whole point of making this stand. It transcends the actual player.
Spooky - my point precisely!!!
Agree with John, Harry is distancing himself from Levy in case we do sell Luka. I listened to the Talksport interview live (don't slag it off, Hawksbee and Jacobs are brilliant) and Harry certainly reacted when challenged on whether we are moving forward, the usual two points from eight games stuff (although he didn't actually use those words this time), he tried to make an interview about Luka into an interview about him and what he has achieved. Interestingly there was a caller who talked about all the lost points against relegated teams (the Talksport guys didn't seem to know about this or get it, so they aren't all worth listening to!), Harry clearly recognises the problem exists but seems to feel we should accept the progress from when he took over rather than be worried about the possibility of slipping back into the second tier pack with Everton, Villa etc. Never mind Twitter, I think Levy should tell Harry he is banned from talking to the media, then hopefully we can hope the whole Luka story goes away as we hold our ground on the 'not for sale' position. Fingers crossed!
If HR had focussed on the most important priority of the season, that is finishing top 4 again, then we would not be having this discussion. Instead the players lost all focus in the league for the final quarter as HR went hellbent on personal glory in the CL, which was never ever going to be achieved.
It's another example of HR's main loyalty to himself, first and foremost. He see's himself with no long term future at the Lane, he'll be off if he gets a sniff of the England job. Maybe now with this interview he has realised the calamitus fuck up of our end of season results may have on his own ambitions.