FA Cup Final: Portsmouth 1-0 Cardiff: Harry Redknapp's Goodbye?

After Portsmouth's FA Cup success will Harry Redknapp call a day on a long and impressive mangerial career? Barney Corkhill investigates.

by Barney Corkhill (Columnist)

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May 17, 2008

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World Football, EPL, Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp, FA Cup, Cardiff City, Editorial, Editorial

This years much anticipated FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff really did not live up to expectations.

As the first FA Cup final in 17 years to feature none of the 'big four', everyone was expecting a nice flowing, open game with a decent amount of goals.

That couldn't have been further from the truth.

Apart from some early chances and a few moments of good football, this year's final was the worst since—well, since last year's final.

But was it Redknapp's final goodbye?

Despite the dour match, Redknapp will be delighted tonight—he got his hands on his first piece of meaningful silverware.

In 25 years in management, Redknapp has tutored some great players, namely Jamie Redknapp, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole.

Redknapp could choose to go out on a high after his most important game in over 1000 games as a manager.

However, Redknapp has insisted that he will stay with Portsmouth.

And I for one believe him. Portsmouth are a team that are on the up, and that is largely down to him.

Before he left Portsmouth for Southampton, Pompey were a fast growing club. When he left, they started to slide back down the table again. And, low and behold, when he took over again they are back on the rise again.

Expect them to be pushing for the fifth place next season, if Redknapp stays in charge that is.

His record for Portsmouth shows what a good job he has done there. A 44 per cent win record for a mediocre team in the hardest league in the world is a very good record.

And as well as showing that he is able to tutor players, he has shown he can get the best out of experienced players. David James' and Sol Campbell's performances this season have proved that.

I don't want him to leave the game now, as he is a quality manager, who is capable of taking Portsmouth to the next level.

Lets just hope he hasn't been put off by all the off the field issues this season as well.

comments (3) write a comment »

  1. I just don't see Redknapp leaving right now.

    He's managing a club with plenty of momentum, and who knows? Maybe he'll reel in even more silverware than the one FA Cup trophy that he's just won today.

  2. 'Arry aint leaving yet. I think more silverware could be on the way. I couldn't watch the match due to medical reasons, but I've seen the highlights. What the hell is Enkcelman (spelling?) still doing in football? You cannot make blunders like he did in an F.A.Cup Final.

  3. Well I cant say i wasn't surprise by the funeral they called "an FA Cup Final". Two teams not known for playing good football and what the hell was Rednapp thinking playing one up front against a lesser side. He had Baros and Nugent on the bench. Cardiff did well though but the game was AWFUL....

    Barney, No one wants to see Rednapp leave the game. I think most people would agree with you on that one....

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