TOON OFFERED ME DAILY PRIVATE JET IF I’D TAKE JOB
HARRY REDKNAPP EXCLUSIVE: The Newcastle United job was one of the most attractive out there long before the Saudi millions arrived.
In fact, if it hadn’t been for a late change of heart a few years ago, I’d have ended up managing them myself.
At the time I was Portsmouth boss when Paul Kemsley, a close mate of Mike Ashley’s, got in touch.
Newcastle were looking for a new manager – it was after Sam Allardyce – and Mike wanted to know if I was interested… and obviously I wanted to hear what they had to say.
What they told me was very, very tempting, too. Not least because, regardless of the flat they’d have got me, they were prepared to lay on a private plane from Bournemouth airport at 7am every morning.
Then, about five o’clock, they would fly me back home if I didn’t want to stay up, so I could still live down here if I wanted to.
I must admit, I gave it really serious consideration and at one stage it was very much, ‘Why not?’
It’s such a massive club, with a massive fan base, and has always had massive potential.