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| Image by Getty Images via @daylife |
As stated yesterday, no matter what is going on in our on lives, we must pay the right attention to what is going on in other peoples' lives -- around us.
Once again we pay homage to a decent man, husband and father, Harry Redknapp. Although one of the greatest football managers of his generation, this accolade remains second in importance to how he values his beloved family. Such a man deserves the best in everything -- including positive publicity.
Ironically, this reporter recalls a conversation he shared with a very keen female football supporter, over a glass (or two ...) of cheap red house wine, four or five years ago. It was at a blind beggarly East end of London pub. I asked her why of all people Harry Redknapp was not even interviewed for the England Manager's job. Indeed, Harry was not even mentioned in the same vein as the likes of, say, Sam Allardice, et al.
At first she opined that he was not really that good a manager. Then when I mentioned the many young (then, now a little older) famous players he blooded at West Ham United, she almost choked on cheap red wine. "Er, well ... er, maybe the establishment sees Harry as a sort of Brian Close figure. You know, answering to no one. Not suffering fools gladly, and all that."
I told her "True, Brian Close is a bit like that, but he is a Cricketer."
"Er, what?" she asked.
"You mean Brian Clough!" I told her.
"That's riiiiiiiiiiight". she agreed.
We knocked glasses, crunched pistachio nuts and laughed.
Slonche!
It is best when such matters are taken lightly. With a laugh. And sometimes with-wine or over a cold glass of beer. Dom Perignon too, if you can afford it.
All jokes, snacks and drinks aside, England must seriously chose Harry Redknapp as its coach and leader, in time. For far too long we have been lead by dispassionate leaders, and yes-men. It is time we are given the best. However, Harry must not be rushed by England. Such a man should be rested, cajoled and allowed to make his own decisions. Treasured. It is then -- and only then, can we become a football winning nation. Again.
