Redknapp rails at “barrow-boy” image

HARRY REDKNAPP has claimed his working-class background has saddled him with an unwanted “barrow-boy” reputation.

Redknapp was arrested last Wednesday by City of London police as part of their investigation into allegations of corruption in football.

The other men arrested were Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie, former Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric, former Portsmouth player Amdy Faye and agent Willie McKay.

Redknapp said earlier this week that the police inquiry did not directly concern him. The 60-year-old has earned a reputation as a wheeler-dealer in the transfer market but insists that has often had a negative aspect to it.

“Because I have a Cockney accent I’m perceived as some sort of barrow-boy,” he said. “Sure I’ve bought and sold a lot of players. But that’s because every team I’ve taken over hasn’t been very good.

“I couldn’t tell you the wages of any of my players, as I have nothing to do with the money side of the club. I know people will be thinking ‘Harry always says it’s nothing to do with him’. But it is nothing to do with me.”

Redknapp also revealed he had rejected an offer last year from a “miles bigger” club, believed to be Newcastle.

“I turned down a job last year for miles more money, at a club who, it is not disrespectful to say, are miles bigger than Portsmouth,” he said. “I didn’t go because I wasn’t prepared to move. To be honest, €15,000-a-week extra, or £22,000-a-week, ain’t going to change my life. I know that sounds wrong — I know that by anyone’s standards that’s a fortune. But what I’m saying is money isn’t everything.”

Mandaric, now owner of Championship club Leicester, has also spoken for the first time about his arrest.

“It was humiliating, embarrassing and made me feel completely sick to my stomach,” he said. “Being arrested and facing unfair slurs and accusations is difficult to deal with.”

Mandaric confirmed police had seized some money during the raid on his home.

“That particular point is a real issue to me and will undoubtedly lead to all sorts of misguided claims. The facts are the police seized some money that was in my possession, all of which I can legitimately substantiate where it came from. It is not part of the football investigation, it’s a separate issue.”