Well, who do you believe between the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail about whether Harry Redknapp is the new manager at Newcastle United. When you look more closely at what both papers are reporting, and forget the dramatic headlines, there’s not too much disagreement.
Mike Ashley - seems determined to get Harry Redknapp to Newcastle
Harry Redknapp has immediately insisted that a deal has not been agreed for him to succeed Sam Allardyce at Newcastle, which was reported by the Daily Mail and put out on this site earlier today.
The Portsmouth manager remains the betting favorite to take over the Newcastle hot seat, but Harry says he still has not been approached for the position.
Harry Redknapp said this afternoon:
“To say a deal has already been done is absolute rubbish,” “I couldn’t say anything else because that’s the situation. There has been no approach.”
“Nobody from Newcastle has contacted me and in any case, that wouldn’t be allowed because nobody has contacted Peter Storrie.”
Redknapp has said he is focusing on Portsmouth’s trip to Sunderland in the Premier League tomorrow. and that wages will not be a factor in any decision over his future.
Harry continued:
“Money would not be an issue to me,” “I wouldn’t go anywhere just for the money.”
What Harry says is not too surprising. There may well have been no official approach yet at Portsmouth, that he knows about. But we think one is imminent and will happen today - there’s just too much detail on the deal in the Daily Mail report. And it’s also interesting that Harry has never said he’d turn the Newcastle job down. He needs to see what it is first.
We think the situation is that an approach will come form Newcastle today, and Harry will obviously want to know officially what the offer is. The offer seems to include a massive amount of money, the ability not to move form his Poole, Dorset home, transfer funds of around £25M, and a private jet to allow him to commute to and from the south coast.
If that is really the deal in place as the Mail is reporting, we cannot believe Harry can turn it down. At least the job, if he accepts it, will be very exciting and he will not be bored. Â 
Comments welcome.
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72 responses so far ↓
1 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 12:58
newcastle would of already have approached himsurely? i really hope it isnt this man!
2 joal // Jan 11, 2008 at 12:59
portsmouths home forms pathetic..jose please jose please…………..
3 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:01
He is just after a new deal with Portsmouth. Forget the media nonsense being fuelled by Harry’s Agent
4 ToonKing // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:02
let it stay that way too.
Although something needs to happen today, cause otherwise it would seem that our board is a collection of amateurs and they didn’t have anyone lined up….in which case were….well…..fooked.
5 Hadrian // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:02
daily mail again ed, whats the daily star saying aswell ?
you think they all are clued up on this from nufc when they were clueless allerdyce was going .
6 ObaFan2 // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:03
He’s been tapped up by MA’s friend…… sleeze is back at nufc? The bookies knew. Dodgy dealings back at SJP.
He’s on bail fgs…….
What has he ever done, poor at West Ham, took Southampton down.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT.
7 ToonKing // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:05
i just heard that ‘Harry left Pompey, is that true or am i halucinating allready ???
8 obafemimartins // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:05
he has a four year deal so why give him a new one. he only gets 1 million a year so money wouldnt be a issue
9 Edd Case // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:05
I keep saying it, and I’ll say it again, Redknapp will not be our next manager, he’s just the media’s current skapegoat.
The fact is, Ashley is an incredibly successfull business man and people like him do not make silly, rash decisions, like sacking Sam and not already having the man they want in place.
Remember, Newcastle United is a business.
Mort and Ashley know what they’re doing and will deliver to us - my bet’s on next Monday, to allow full concentration of the players for the Man Utd game.
Also, think about what Ashleys friends hinted at (that ex-Spurs chappy).
He said, “I’d be very excited if I was a Newcastle fan” and “Mike will deliver to the fans what they want”…
Hae some faith people.
10 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:08
im a little more confident now, but if they named him bedore the game, surely the players would want to impress their new boss who surely will be watching
11 obafemimartins // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:08
that could mean anything. we might be buying berbatov for all we know. the players will know there is a new manager on the way so they will impress anyway. if they dont they should be sold. west ham could be newcastle No 2. all of our rejects
12 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:08
It annoys me that alot of people on here on pandering to SkySports. They don’t run Newcastle. They claimed Ashley meet Redknapp this morning in Newcastle. When it was confirmed later that Ashley was in Hong Kong and Harry in Portsmouth - they didn’t bother to say they had just lied to the country again. Sky Sports knows nothing.
13 Graeme // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:09
Sky News at 1300 (UK time) - Harry has met MA. Harry has cancelled his normal Friday press conference. Thats it.
This is all attributed to “Sky Sources” there is no factual basis for any of it.
I for one just hope that MA has higher ambitions for Newcastle United than a highly average manager who has achieved very little in his many years in the game, other than a very healthy bank balance.
What can he bring to the club, that the many available managers in europe, who have all won leagues, cups and competed at the highest levels in Europe for years????? Not a lot I guess.
I honestly dont believe that MA has a new manager lined up, but I must believe that he is talking to a better potential manager than Harry Redknap
14 nufctj // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:09
speculation, thats all any of this is. I am still going to go with the rational notion that Mort and Ashley already have someone lined up. It’s the only thing that makes sense, when considering how BSA was let go and when he was let go. Why on earth would they want to hire someone who is going to jet back and forth? If Redknapp is such a great manager that they would go to that length to bring him to the Toon, then why on earth did the FA pass him up as the England skipper? I’ve got nothing against ‘ol ‘Arry but he cannot be the one. It makes no sense.
15 Steeley // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:10
I’m 99.9% positive that Harry will have been lined up before Sam was sacked, but of course they cant admit to that otherwise it would have been classed as tapping up.
I have a lot to say on the issue, but basically, I was one of the ones to scream for Sam’s sacking. I still support that as the man was taking up into a quagmire. I respect Harry Redknapp a million times more than Sam Allardyce so if he comes in I will be behind him 100% and he will undoubtedly get my backing for time - regardless of results at the start.
All I ask is that he changes out style of play and brings some entertainment back to SJP instead of dour performances.
Redknapp wasnt anywhere near the top of my list, but if it’s him then so be it (and it looks like it is!). I do however think that the financial package they have offered is incredibly (ridiculously?) high….especially for someone who hasnt lit the managerial world alight.
Still, his time may just be around the corner! Welcome to SJP Harry….you’re in for a ride sonny jim, so hold on tight….
16 George // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:11
If Harry Redknapp is appointed as the new manageer for NUFC, it will be a big mistake.
What has Harry achieved. Nothing just like SA and if we get HK it will be a acse of out of the frying pan into the fire.
In every sense you can mirror image SA and HK in their transfer dealings, legal or not legal, tactics, African imports, going back to previous clubs for players, winning nowt. Do we want that again. I hope to god it is just paper talk.
17 Callum // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:13
Why would we sack allardyce to replace him with redknapp? both have just over achieved at small clubs and none have actually won anything and harry doesnt even have experience in europe
18 goalcentre.com // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:14
Too much speculation and uncertainty. How long can you guys stand?
What Callum said is right… Allardyce and Arry are around the same standards. Why would they employ somebody without looking forward?
19 StevieA // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:16
He lost out on the England job due to a bad story in the press. I recall Harry saying how the police AND media turned up at 2 or 3am in the morning (at the same time!!) and how amazed he was that the press knew about the scandal/arrest. He even went as far as to say someone tipped them off. FA? Media? That pretty much cost Harry the England job, I really believe he would have been England manager if it wasn’t for that. I think he does too.
Portsmouth were flying when talk of Harry for England surfaced. I just hope if we get him the fans give him a chance! I am sure Mike Ashley will.
I would be happy with Harry. He does play attacking, counter attack football, he organizes a defence well and his buys are usually quality too.
You only have to look at how well he has had Sol Campbell and Distin have been playing - both free transfers. Who we could have got too by the way!
Don’t underestimate what he could do with the right setup and backing.
20 goalcentre.com // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:18
Where is Leo? Asleep i guess!
Or he went to take another dozen cups of coffee? ^^
21 obafemimartins // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:19
he might buy good players but two of them are shit. benjani was only good this season and kanu is like viduka - very lazy. muntari and utaka are very good buys for 6mil. we should of bought them instead of smith and barton.
22 Gallacher_the_Horse // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:19
I think I hear the sound of metal on wood as we seem set to go and scrape that barrel again! After 36 years as a supporter I’ve seen some right choices as manager, but the possibility of Redknapp being appointed beggars belief! Surely the crowd around Mike Ashley hasn’t suggested this, has it? Mourinho via phone from a beach in Portugal would be better than this in my opinion. Edd Case, I hope you’re right and this is a smoke-screen. Ashley and Chris Mort seem pretty good at that sort of thing; a real manager up their collective sleeve will brighten my weekend no end.
23 StevieA // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:24
Benjani shit? Do me a favour Obafemi.
His work rate is amazing, Obafemi could learn something from Benjani. His finishing this season has been superb too now he is full of confidence. He will get back to scoring goals before long too.
He has more goals than Martins doesn’t he?
24 Newcastlefan // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:25
I said my dream would be if Big Sam was to sacked, and the special one was to come. Well Elvis has left the building ! I thought it would not happen because Jose Mourhino would not come. I still think he will not come, but hey skies the limit. On that note I thought Sam should and would stay. Steeley has hit the nail on the button. We have to get the best man in for the job, until Jose is on the plane, Harry is our man.
25 Neil // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:25
Can I ask seriously though how many people (NUFC fans), when they heard of Sam Allardyce leaving, thought we must go and get Harry Redknapp as our manager? I think I can confidently say less than 1% of us NUFC fans. So why would we suddenly get excited by him becoming our new manager. He is simply no better than what we have just got rid of or if he is better it’s certainly marginal. Speaking for myself and possibly a few other fans I think we have to go for only 1 man right now and that man is Mourinho. I know there are various people who will comeback and say he wont join but if he turned us down I would have to accept that however if we simply do not approach him it strikes me as a distinct lack of ambition at our club. Going for ANOTHER manager who has won nothing (Redknapp) is just Allardyce all over again. For the record I am baffled as to why our manger MUST BE BRITISH according to speculation - WHY???
To all the people who aren’t NUFC fans who regard us as demanding and impatient I just don’t see where you can ground this arguement given that we’ve had no domestic trophy for my whole lifetime and the rest so I’d put us up there at the top of the patience league!! If you are saying we are demanding to watch decent football for the money we pay then I would say we are no different to any other fan in this country or anywhere else in the world. Comments welcome on my post to get the general opinion of the fans.
Cheers
Neil
26 StevieA // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:25
Apparently we almost signed Utaka but we didn’t exactly break our backs to sign him like Portsmouth did. I remember Utaka saying that’s one of the reasons he didn’t sign for us.
He would have been a breath of fresh air for us this season.
27 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:25
The board kept Sam’s sacking a secret - Sky Sports didn’t see it coming and had no exclusives.
Now they claim to be experts and know everything that has been said in the board room and have read Harry’s contract.
In a perfect world, when Ashley unveils a different manager next week, Sky Sports should officially apologise to Newcastle and the country for lying to back up their own journalists.
28 Graham // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:28
Ive just put 2 bets on our next manager and neither went on Redknapp. I just cannot believe that this will happen…
29 Edd Case // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:28
Neil, Im certianly not excited by the prospect of Harry being appointed as Toon boss.
I want Jose.
30 Neil // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:32
Ok EDD my apologies it just seems there are a lot of postings about Harry Redknapp which came across like propoganda if you like. I am pleased you want Jose just like I do!
31 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:32
the toon would adore jose, ticket sales would be sellout everygame and the whole world of football would pay attention,jose would attract better players and increase shirt sales, it all would make sense to the fans the club and also the business!
32 geordie down south // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:36
thinkk arsene wenger might get the job..
wen ashley took over he said he was freinds with wenger..
and i just read an article wen wenger said newcastle was an exciting job..
doubt this will happen .. but how good would it be if it happened…
33 Kevin Hann // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:38
Ed, you seem to believe that if the papers know that many facts around the deal, it makes it more trustworthy. Well, isn’t that the whole idea of speculation? Why don’t you ask yourself HOW ON EARTH could they know all these details? I believe it was you who said Mike and Mort tend to keep their dealings in private as class businessmen. Then how did all this info get to the press? What the hell is the way for the papers to find out Mike Ashley offered Harry his plane, for Christ’s sake!?!? Is anyone here thinking soberly or you all just read and then start puking how stupid our bosses are?!?!
34 Greg B // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:38
MAGPIES SWOOP FOR STRACHAN!!!
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11750_3036599,00.html
35 Kevin Hann // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:39
I want to ask if there are some people from Newcastle here. Could you tell me more about the rumours of Kevin Keegan being spotted in town? Did anyone actually see him or it is one of those anonymous fabricated observers?
36 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:40
no mate thats notts county??????????
37 Kevin Hann // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:40
Greg B that’s old. They swooped for him yesterday.
38 Hadrian // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:40
sky are mugging everyone ,
arry bloody redknapp , never heard of such a total lack of ambition froma billionare in my life . and one who sits with the fans at that ? get a grip! were in this position cos he’s listened , you think he’s going to ignore everyone after that and put harry redknapp in charge?
39 Graham // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:40
Geordie Down South - theres more chance of you becoming manager with me as your assistant!
40 Greg B // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:40
Just to show how the media (especially Sky Sports) can twist things and manipulate the truth.
Dont believe owt till the club release a statement… I can not believe the best Ashley can do is bring Redknapp in as boss, just dosent make sense.
41 Graeme // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:41
Neil, well said mate.
We should be going for the best man we can get and until he turns us down, that man is Morinho.
Harry Redknap doesnt even come in the top 15 available managers, even if he was available!!!!
42 geordie down south // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:41
Graham - sounds good.. im sure we would be better than allardyce .. lets apply..
x
43 Greg B // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:42
Carl and Kevin…
I was just showing how the media and Sky Sports in particular twist thigs lads.
Anyone reading that could have thought Ashley was going for Gordon Strachan, I suppose it sell papers, gets hits on websites but in the end its all shite…
44 Kevin Hann // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:42
Graeme, give me a quick list of 15 available managers better than harry
45 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:43
LIMERICK:
There once was a gaffer called Sam
He wasn’t ever Mike Ashey’s man
Sam took some flack
Then he got the sack
And now the sh*t has hit the fan!
46 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:43
ah greg got ya!
47 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:44
Sky Sports has just said Elvis has risen from the dead, and they know who shot JFK. So it must be true.
48 geordie down south // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:44
hahahaha
49 geordie down south // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:45
sounds about right for sky sports news
50 Graham // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:46
Kevin Hann…
Sleepy
Dopey
Bashfull
Grumpy
Happy
Doc
Sneezy & thats just 7!
51 ELFER // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:47
Redknapp is so much nonsense…every word is just not true that there was a meeting or even an approach.
In my opinion the only one who would make sense (becouse ashley was a big fan of him and has connections over his friend at tottham) MARTIN JOL.
So I also think that he will be officially introduced on monday. If it’s someone else, then I only see the special one, but I fear he would be too expensive, but who knows! skysports truly not
52 Jose M // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:47
Regardless of success, Mike Ashley would become a hero on Tyneside if he appointed Jose Mourinho!!!
Pure and Simple, because he would be giving the Toon Army exactly what the Majority are crying out for.
I would love to hear what Sir Bobby thoughts on the postion are and if he thinks Jose would be the Man and moe importantly, would he take the job if offered (If he hasnt been offered it already;-))
53 Kevin Hann // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:48
Graham you are doing so well you should have been our chairman!
54 geordie down south // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:50
the only person that could handle the pressure and stress is mourinho.. the fans would love him .. he would play the right sort of football.. the players would respect him.. ashley can afford him.. he would attract quality players ….
but doubt it ..
55 Graham // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:51
Kevin - watching Sky Sports and Dopey’s just ruled himself out of the running - Theres a nice job on the south coast becoming available that he fancies…
56 Davey G // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:51
ELFER, Mike Ashleys close pal got JOL the sack fom Spurs!!! DOH!!!!!!!!
57 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:52
Sky Sports has just said Snow White has told friends she is ready to be our Manager. But she has quite a back room staff - 7 of them!
58 geordie down south // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:54
and ashley would lend snow white his jet to comutte from her story book..
59 GM // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:54
Kevin hann- i’m from Newcastle and havent heard anything about keegan being sighted anywhere, although he does still live in the north east, its not been mentioned on any local news bulletins, its all speculation, apparently mourinhio was here last night as well, spotted at the marriott hotel in gosforth (5 miles from city center) and redknapp was sighted at the hilton on the quayside, both were spotted by people working in these hotels and word spread like wild fire…..in a word…..bullshit
60 ToonKing // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:54
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=543385
feck!!
61 Graham // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:55
This is getting silly - next thing we know is that we have signed Harry Redknapp as our new manager!
62 Graeme // Jan 11, 2008 at 13:59
Kevin, if there were only 2 managers available, Harry would be at number 15!!!!!!
63 Domininufc // Jan 11, 2008 at 14:04
Guys (and girls) Jose would be great but why would he come to Newcastle when he can manage the best teams in the world with the best players. He does not like losing it will never happen.
It looks more and more likely that Harry will join not my first choice but would support him 100% much better than fat Sam
64 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 14:09
anelka to chelsea btw
65 Matthew Tom // Jan 11, 2008 at 14:14
People are asking what Redknapp has ever achieved. Well, he got West Ham promoted and frankly he’s worked miracles with Portsmouth over the last year or two. I say give him a chance. The only time he’s ever had any money to spend has been recently with Portsmouth, and I think we’d swap places with them just now.
66 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 14:17
Matthew Tom - Would Man Utd, Arsenal, Barcelona, or Real Madrid give a job to Harry? No. So why the hell should we. If you want to compete with the big boys you need class from the top down. Harry is so wrong for Newcastle it is scary.
67 Leo* // Jan 11, 2008 at 14:41
not to do with the money, sure it isnt i dont believe that one iota. he will have big clauses in his contract
68 scott9 // Jan 11, 2008 at 15:31
i hope rednapp is appointed soon so he can bring some new players in maybe lassana diarra as he was in for him with pompey.
maybe in the summer harry will put a 20m bid in for muntari and kranjier i think im getting a bit carried away there though
69 antz // Jan 11, 2008 at 15:37
sky sports are $hite!!!
they are now saying they have reports redknapp has not gone to newcastle for talks and he may still be in the portsmouth area!!! haha
lets hope so, lets hope mort is in portugal
70 ObaFan2 // Jan 11, 2008 at 15:57
I cannot believe that MA’s sights are set so low and he HASN’T listened to the fans if he employs (an under bail) Redknapp.
IT’S A JOKE, smoke screen I hope for the real manager.
I’d be so relieved if it’s not dodgy arry.
Anyone else will do but not him plz. He’ll only come for the money and compensation when he’s sacked and he’ll be out of a job then.
Coppell is coming in on the betting.
71 Matthew Tom // Jan 11, 2008 at 17:44
James
As much as I’d love to put us in the league of those clubs, we are a million miles from Man U, Arsenal, Barca or Madrid. No they wouldn’t appoint Redknapp, they’d appoint someone who wouldn’t even consider coming near us. We have to be realistic. We are a mid table team and we have been for a few years now, much as it pains me to say it. We aren’t going to get a Mourinho or a Scolari, not this time.
Harry plays attacking football. He can spot a good player. He is good at developing young talent. He’s been round the block a few times. He’s willing to come (we think). The last point is the most relevant in reality.
72 ObaFan2 // Jan 11, 2008 at 17:58
He’s been round the block a few times and some dark car parks receiving cash or horses as sweetners and like every manager he’s bought flops too.
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