‘Something is wrong and we’ve got to find out what and put it right’

Harry Redknapp tells a funny story about Roman Pavlyuchenko that pretty well sums up his approach to management.

When they were both at Tottenham, the manager was frequently exasperated by his Russian striker’s languid body language. So when a club translator asked Redknapp if had any special tactical instructions for Pavlyuchenko before a game, the manager responded: “Just tell him to effing run around more!”

Redknapp would tell the story, half for a laugh and half to get across what he believes is a simple but effective approach to football — and indeed to life — that his humble roots in London’s East end taught him. Work hard, and you will get the rewards.