Ex-QPR boss Harry Redknapp: I can barely stand due to knee pain

  • Sport
Harry Redknapp has had to use crutches in the past. Credit: PA

Harry Redknapp has spoken out about the continual knee pain that made his quit Queens Park Rangers.

The former West Ham boss says he can't walk and can barely stand, and is expected to have a knee replacement imminently.

Redknapp told the Daily Mail he phoned Tony Fernandes in the early hours of Tuesday morning to tell him he need to resign.

"I was awake all night, thinking about it. I'm struggling so badly now. I can't walk, I can barely stand and watch. I'm in pain all the time. I've been putting it off, and putting it off, but it has got to the stage where I cannot do the job," Redknapp told the Daily Mail.

"I booked a ticket for Fulham's FA Cup game with Sunderland on Tuesday night, but my first thought was, 'how am I going to get to the ground?' Even if I get a car park pass there is going to be some walking. I can't walk around Craven Cottage anymore, I can't walk down the street – that's how bad it has got.

"I went to see my grandson play football at the weekend, and after five minutes had to go back to the car. I couldn't even stand up. What sort of life is it if you can't watch the kids play? That sort of made my mind up. I went to bed thinking I would sleep on it, but then I couldn't sleep a wink. That's when I decided to call Tony. It must have been 5.30am. I just told him he needed someone who could properly coach and manage the team in the next ten weeks. It's such an important time. They need someone who can give it everything."

Redknapp called Tony Fernandes in the early hours. Credit: PA

Redknapp says he accepted the fact he would not be able to strengthen in January, having missed out on a number of targets.

"I knew some while ago that we were not going to be able to get much done in January. We had one real target on the last day, Emmanuel Adebayor, because we are short upfront. But he was too much money. I accept that. There are no hard feelings on my part – I've not had a problem with Tony Fernandes in all my time there.

"I even went to training this morning because it was my intention to say goodbye to the lads. I went to sort out some bits and pieces with the club and by the time I had finished they were gone. It's been that quick. I just made my mind up because events were piling up. Being told I needed both knees replaced was a huge blow. It would put me out of the game for months because you can't have them done together."