Latest news with #AlArabiyaNews
Al Arabiya
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
Exclusive Harry Redknapp: ‘German spy' joke, Joe Cole vs Messi & Saudi hosting World Cup
Football legend Harry Redknapp is as outspoken as ever in a lively Special Interview presented by Micheal Prendergast on Al Arabiya News. From that controversial joke about England boss Thomas Tuchel, describing it as a joke that "badly backfired," to why Eddie Howe is the perfect future England manager, Redknapp also reveals why Joe Cole could have rivalled Lionel Messi — and shares his thoughts on Saudi Arabia hosting the World Cup in 2034.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Redknapp says 'joke' about Tuchel 'badly backfired'
Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp says calling England boss Thomas Tuchel "a German spy" was a "joke" that "badly backfired".Redknapp made the comment about the German manager when speaking at a charity event last month and also appeared to make a Nazi on Saudi Arabia's state-owned Al Arabiya News in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, Redknapp was discussing England having a foreign manager in Tuchel when the presenter said: "A German spy as you said.."The ex-Portsmouth, Tottenham and West Ham manager replied: "No, don't go there. Oh my god, it was a joke, you know, that badly backfired. But it was only a joke."Former Chelsea manager Tuchel officially started his England role in January and led them to World Cup qualifying wins over Albania and Latvia in his first two games in 78, was speaking in front of an audience at an event in London before those matches and was asked for his thoughts on the German."I'll be honest with you, I think he's a German spy. I'm telling you," Redknapp is seen saying in a video clip obtained by the Guardian., external"Seriously, he's been sent over to [expletive] us up. He has. I'm telling ya, he's like Lord Haw Haw in the war – 'We have your best soldiers captured' and all that."William Joyce, known as Lord Haw-Haw, broadcast Nazi propaganda to the UK during World War also imagined an instruction given to Tuchel to "go over and ruin that team".And he appeared to make a Nazi salute gesture as he made the comments to the audience, who were laughing.
Al Arabiya
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
‘It was a joke:' Redknapp on calling England's coach Tuchel ‘German spy'
Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp responded to his recent comments about England's head coach Thomas Tuchel. Redknapp jokingly called him a 'German spy' and appeared to mimic a Nazi salute while speaking at a charity event in March. 'Oh my god, it was a joke, you know, that badly backfired. But it was only a joke,' Redknapp told Al Arabiya News in an exclusive interview presented by Micheal Prendergast. Tuchel became England's manager in January and led the team to World Cup qualifying wins over Albania and Latvia as his first two games in charge. Redknapp, who has coached clubs such as Tottenham and West Ham, was speaking at an event in London when he made the comments about the German native. 'I'll be honest with you, I think he's a German spy. I'm telling you,' Redknapp said at the time, according to media reports.
Al Arabiya
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
‘Joe Cole could have been Lionel Messi:' Redknapp says of former West Ham player
Harry Redknapp said former West Ham United player Joe Cole 'could have been Lionel Messi,' as he praised the English football player as someone who could do 'magic' on the field and win the game. 'Joe could have been Lionel Messi. He was good. I honestly believe that. But you had to let him play – play like Messi where the book can't get the ball,' Redknapp told Al Arabiya News in an exclusive interview presented by Micheal Prendergast. Redknapp, who is an English football manager, and has coached clubs like AFC Bournemouth, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, reminisced Cole's first appearance at West Ham. Cole at the time was an eleven-year-old boy playing against thirteen-year-olds, he said. 'We all stood on the touchline and after ten minutes we are going who is this kid?' he said. Cole played as an attacking mid fielder and started his career with West Ham United, where, after breaking into the first team in January 1999, he played more than 120 Premier League games over five seasons.
Al Arabiya
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia hosting World Cup is ‘fantastic': Football manager Harry Redknapp
English football manager Harry Redknapp said Saudi Arabia hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034 would be 'fantastic,' adding that the Kingdom would provide a 'great atmosphere' for fans to visit and watch the game. 'It is fantastic – it would be a great place to come and watch football [safely]. You know great atmosphere. People just come and have a great time … which is what everybody should do anyway,' Redknapp told Al Arabiya News in an exclusive interview presented by Micheal Prendergast. In 2024, Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the largest edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2034 and will be the first country in history to host this event alone under its new format. Redknapp, who was once tipped to become England's manager, has previously worked in the Middle East. He was appointed the manager of Jordan's national team in March 2016 and was in charge for the country's next two qualifying matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He has previously managed football clubs such as AFC Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City.
