Mahatma Gandhi once said that ‘everyone should have the freedom to explore the full expression of ones personality’. Napoleon, a leader amongst heroes, once said ‘ability is nothing without opportunity’.
Harry Redknapp, the new manager of Tottenham, epitomises the very essence of poetic football drama. If the victory over Bolton last weekend was beginners luck then Wednesday nights dramatic 4-4 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates was an act of divine intervention.
Redknapp never hid his desire to manage a top side in the Premiership. He feels now that Tottenham is his chance to show the rest of English football that he can be one of the top English bosses of his generation: as passionate as Sir Bobby Robson and as tactically astute as Terry Venables.
He has the freedom and opportunity at Tottenham to achieve his aspirations, especially with a Spurs side glittered in quality names. It has an English backbone, with an average age in its low twenties. Harry has a youthful and exuberant blend of talent at his disposal and although the timing of his arrival is not ideal, he finds himself in a win-win situation. The only way is up for the team from the Lane and Wednesday night was an early indication of what the Spurs fans can expect from Harry’s teams this season.
The match was a wonderful example of attacking football played at tremendous speed, with a collection of fine strikes and end to end action, against a backdrop of lackadaisical defending that would have sent Tony Adams and Alan Hansen into acrimonious fits.
One can argue that it’s the Harry Redknapp influence that gave Spurs the belief to continue battling to the death. One may say it was the untimely slip of Arsenal left back Gael Clichy that caused such a late dramatic twist in proceedings, others though will point to Arsenals complacency this season as the key factor that led to the impending final few moments at the Emirates.
The beauty of such a game was derived from the fact that Tottenham were dead and buried with 3 minutes left to play. Arsenal were elegant on the eye, incisive in their passing and eager to heap more misery on their already anxiety stricken London neighbours. Had Juande Ramos been at the helm, even the most die hard of Tottenham fans would have feared the worst. But Ramos was not in charge, it was Harry Redknapp, a ‘player’s’ manager that was in the visitors dug out, and it was he who believed in this set of players right to the very end.
Mr Redknapp may not have a track record of managing the biggest and best on the continent, nor does he have the credentials of coaching a sugar coated – star studied squad like Tottenham Hotspur. However, what he does have in his mantra is the ability to embellish every club he has ever coached in the Premiership.
At West Ham United, he provided stability alongside Frank Lampard senior, bringing through a talented collection of future England stars. His nurturing of Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick to name but a few, has given Chelsea, Manchester United and England a lot to thank him for.
His time on the south coast was even rosier, taking an impaired Portsmouth side, languishing at the bottom of the Championship, into a potent top ten Premiership side. He turned this spineless side into a team of substance, bringing in skilful players such as Lassana Diarra, Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch while also resurrecting the careers of Sylvan Distan, Sol Campbell and England’s number one goalkeeper David James. He also showed great tenacity in his team selections and transfer policy throughout his time on the coast.
The highlight of Redknapps career so far came when he led his Portsmouth side to victory over Cardiff City in the FA Cup Final this summer. In doing so, he became the first English manager since Joe Royale led Everton to a famous victory over Manchester United in 1995, to lead a team to FA Cup glory.
His move to Tottenham has been swift and incisive. Daniel Levy the Spurs Chairman highlighted in newspaper reports today that he had tried to sign Harry 18 months ago but was unable to lure him away from Portsmouth at the time. Levy also conveyed his disappointment at Juande Ramos’ reign in charge citing that Ramos, and not Levy, was the man who allowed Dimitar Berbatov to leave the club knowing there were no adequate attacking options to replace the strong, skilful Bulgarian.
How much of that is down to Levy covering his back, using Ramos as the scapegoat for his clubs troubled times is debatable, however, one cannot argue with his appointment of Harry Redknapp. He has brought in a manager who will bring to the club the very qualities that it lacked over recent months. He will inspire confidence in the players, work closely with them on the training pitch, communicate instructions and tactics effectively while bringing that London grit and attacking flair Tottenham teams have historically been renowned for.
Their next test is an all together more arduous and daunting match against team of the moment Liverpool at home this weekend. The Merseyside’s form has been impressive of late. Having watched them first hand against Chelsea last week, they have shown the consistency in their game that has been lacking in recent years. They gave Chelsea no space or time on the ball and although they didn’t create a lot of chances (Alonso’s free kick aside), thoroughly deserved their victory – ending an unbeaten league record spanning four years and 86 games for Chelsea.
If Liverpool want to be crowned Champions of England this year they must beat teams like Tottenham on their travels. They are the team in the ascendency at the moment and must capitalise on their good run and good fortune of late. Tottenham, however, will want to use this match against the league leaders as a marker for the rest of their season – just like they did against Arsenal. Both teams will go into the match with no fear but one has a funny feeling that the Harry Redknapp factor may prove compelling in yet another fascinating Barclays Premiership match.
Days after Redknapps move to North London, Portsmouth gave him the freedom of the land for his FA Cup triumph last season. One suspects if he steers this rudderless Spurs side up the table, playing attractive football and in doing so, bringing the best out of his players this season – the freedom from the White half of North London may not be too far away.
