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Harry Redknapp once turned down Arsenal legend to sign his 'useless' mate instead

talksport.com, 21 July 2023, 07:00
Harry Redknapp is well-known for his ability to spot talent, but when he first started out in management, he missed a real gem of a player.

If Harry rates you then the chances are you'd be following him to various club - looking at you, Niko Krancjar.

At the age of 76, he has decided his time in the dugout is over after a career spanning Tottenham, Portsmouth, Southampton, West Ham and more.

But it all started in 1983 when he became manager of Bournemouth and, after three years of management, he snapped up a young Carl Richards from Enfield Town.

However, while Richards would toil at Bournemouth, his mate proved to go on and have a fantastic career - Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

Writing in his book 'Always Managing', Redknapp held nothing back when speaking about the duo.

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He wrote: "I bought Carl for £10,000, went to pick him up from Enfield and while he went in to say goodbye to his manager, he left me with his mate.

"'What are you signing him for?' said this kid. 'I'm 10 times better than him. I've got 26 goals this season, he's only got 12. I'm different class than him. Why don't you sign me?'

"I was worried. 'I can't buy you, I'm buying him,' I told Carl's mate, 'but I'll keep an eye out for you, don't worry."

"So we took Carl and he was absolutely useless. He could run, but that was about it. We played about six games, couldn't win one. Carl was terrible.

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"After about four games of this, he came to see me. 'I've got a mate,' he said. 'He was asking if he could have a trial. He's a striker, like me.'

"'And is he as good as you, Carl?' I asked, suspiciously. 'No, he's not as good as me,' he said, 'but he's decent.'

"'Well, tell him not to f***ing bother then,' I snapped, and that was the end of it."

"The following Saturday, we went to play Crystal Palace. 'My mate, the one who wanted a trial, he's playing for Palace today,' said Carl. 'Oh good,' I thought. 'No problem there then.'

"Anyway, three goals later I realised Carl wasn't much of a scout, either. His mate's name? Ian Wright, who went on to score 238 league goals."

Wright had an incredible career in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Arsenal and West Ham.

He won the Premier League with the Gunners in 1998 and scored 185 times for them.

The former England international has also been recognised by the Premier League, who added him to the Hall of Fame earlier this year.

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