Spurs boss makes unexpected declaration in newspaper column

Picutred: Harry Redknapp’s home in Sandbanks, Poole

In his weekly column for The Sun, Harry Redknapp today gave his reaction to the Premier League fixture list. He asserts that Birmingham’s baptism of fire at Old Trafford is a good thing, as they will face a side with hurting from Champions League defeat and the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s a valid point, but we’re not so sure his assessment of newbies Burnley is quite as cogent:

Burnley will be the poor relations, if you are honest. Anything Owen Coyle can do will be a marvellous achievement on top of an already fantastic job just getting the team into the Premier League.

Is that the same Burnley who beat your relegation-threatened side in January, Harry?

Towards the end of the column, the Tottenham manager admits that he isn’t missing the daily routine of a Premier League manager during the closed season:

It does not seem like five minutes ago that the season ended and yesterday I was in my back garden feeding the birds and enjoying a break.

I love football, it is in my blood. But I would be lying if I said I am missing it just now.

Instead of getting up at 5.30am to drive to Tottenham’s training ground, I can stay in bed a bit longer.

Every day it feels like I have won the Pools.

Granted, the daily drive from his home in Poole to the Spurs training ground isn’t enviable (it’s nearly a 300-mile round trip!), but we’re not convinced Mr Redknapp should be admitting his reticence to return to the job in a daily newspaper.

Spoiler bonus: Our hats go off to The Sun today for an article based around a two-day old picture of Cristiano Ronaldo, in which they hilariously suggest that the Portuguese star looks like a member of the cast of Baywatch. Check out the picture mockup they have produced, and applaud the Photoshop skills that suggest C-Ron has grown an extra limb.