Gary Jacob October 3, 2009
Harry Redknapp has dismissed a rumour that he is to leave Tottenham Hotspur after bookmakers yesterday slashed the odds about him becoming the first Barclays Premier League manager this season to leave his post. William Hill cut their price from 50-1 to evens.
Wagers totalling thousands of pounds were placed on Redknappâs departure with various bookmakers, and some stopped taking bets.
Redknapp initially made a joke about leaving the club âonly for Boltonâ, against whom his team play today, but he became more angered when pressed on the rumours.
âItâs absolute nonsense,â Redknapp said. âCrazy rumours. It goes on Twitter . . . Iâm definitely not leaving. I couldnât be happier than I am here. I had a couple of calls from friends asking what is happening, and I said: âNothingâ. Itâs just nonsense.
âThe chairman doesnât want me to leave either. There are no forces from outside. Someone has started a rumour, rung a bookmaker and tried to have a bet. A bookmaker is trying to get some publicity.â
One explanation for the betting move was a rumour that Redknapp could return to Portsmouth if there is a takeover of the troubled club, who are bottom of the Barclays Premier League without a point.
âSomeone said I was getting a group of investors and Michael Tabor [a racehorse owner] to buy Portsmouth,â he said. âAbsolute rubbish, Michaelâs not buying Portsmouth and Iâm not going anywhere.â
Tottenham are fourth in the league, with 15 points from seven matches, so a move would be bizarre. âWhen things are going well someone will try and upset things,â Redknapp said.
Tottenham have five players, including Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas and Jermain Defoe, in Englandâs extended squad for their World Cup matches over the next ten days. Defoe should start today after the forward trained yesterday with a cast on his hand to protect the fingers he dislocated against Burnley last week.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/tottenham/article6859586.eceApparently the rumours might intensify tomorrow as the NOTW are preparing a big story regarding him and several transfers at Portsmouth.