Harry reveals 'big club' snub
by Alex Livie, 14 May 2008
Harry Redknapp has made the claim that he turned down a bigger job than Newcastle this season.
The Portsmouth manager is preparing for the game of the club’s season on Saturday, as Pompey lock horns with Cardiff in the FA Cup final.
Redknapp could have been experiencing a far different May 17, had he taken the reins at Newcastle when offered them in January.
After indicating he would take the Newcastle job, Redknapp had a change of heart and decided to remain loyal to Pompey.
He has no regrets over the decision, stating he enjoys his life on the South Coast, but claims he turned his back on a ‘bigger job than Newcastle’.
”Newcastle was a terrific job and maybe this sounds like a lack of ambition, but I didn’t want to be away from my wife,” Redknapp said in an interview with the Daily Star.
”It didn’t appeal to me to be stuck up in a flat and coming back down at weekends.
”If I didn’t like her I probably would have gone. Listen, I have turned down a bigger job than Newcastle this season.
”Only a few weeks ago, I said no because of similar reasons and, also, I don’t want to walk away from here again.”
Although Newcastle are perennial underachievers, there are not many bigger challenges in English management than The Magpies and Redknapp’s comments are sure to set tongues wagging.
It is unlikely to have been an offer from Arsenal or Chelsea, given they have managers and he would not have needed to relocate from the south, while Manchester United are not in any rush to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sven Goran Eriksson’s future at Manchester City is in doubt and a move to the North West would facilitate the need to relocate, but Redknapp has remained tight lipped on the approach.