Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #88334 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-04
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
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 60s. 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 60s, 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. --TrevorCrowe

Synopsis
Mention West Ham United FC and the name Harry Redknapp immediately springs to mind. The Hammers' boss is an institution in the game; his experience of English football in the Nineties from the perspective of one club is unsurpassed. His was a controversial appointment, as he took over as manager at West Ham in 1994 to succeed former favourite Billy Bonds. But Redknapp broke the mould: he was one of the first Premiership managers to recruit heavily from abroad, and he gives a refreshing insight into howsuch players as Raducioiu, Dani, Boogers and other foreign buys adjusted - or in many cases, failed - to adapt to the frenetic pace and unique culture of English football. More recently he has proved a shrewd investor in British talent. The likes of Trevor Sinclair, Neil Ruddock and Ian Wright have ensured that the Hammers have been a force to be reckoned with throughout this season's Premiership campaign.

Customer Reviews

Riveting Redknapp
This is a smart, easy-to-read book. So good in fact, I read it in one sitting.

'Ol Harry has a few interesting tales to say, not least his experience in the US when he pursued a coaching/management role there.

We get his side of the story on his poor foreign signings. Most notably, the Dutch striker, Marco Boogers.

A must have for any football enthusiast's collection of biographies or just football literature in general.

You Won't Want To Put It Down
Harry Redknapp is as easy to read as he is to watch in interview - the whole book comes across as if Harry is sat the other side of a table telling you his about his life in football - he rubs shoulders with many of the big names in this book but he remains right down to earth throughout.
Even if you do not like West Ham, I can't help but think that anyone with an interest in football will love Harry's story.

Superb read, with the honestly that sums up Harry Redknapp.
As a West Ham fan, this book was always going to be of interest to me. But it really is a fantastic autobiography. One thing that shines threw, is Harrys passion for the game. This is truly an honest, and funny account of the goings on in football.