Harry takes Birmingham reins

– Veteran English manager Harry Redknapp said he had returned to football as the new boss of Championship strugglers Birmingham City yesterday because he was “fed up” with his time away from the sport.

The 70-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur boss has replaced Gianfranco Zola, whose dismal four months in charge of second-tier Birmingham ended on Monday with the Italian declaring: “I sacked myself.”

Birmingham are now just three points above the relegation zone with three

London

games remaining.

Redknapp’s most recent managerial post was with Jordan. He last worked in English football with Derby County as an advisor.

Redknapp said his initial appointment would be until the end of the season, although his time at St Andrews could be extended if he preserves Birmingham’s Championship status.

“I got fed up sitting around doing nothing,” Redknapp said yesterday.

“I will come and live up here until the end of the season,” added Redknapp, whose home is in Poole on England’s south coast.

“If I can keep them up then we can sit down and talk about going forward.”

Explaining how he got the Blues’ job, Redknapp – who will be assisted by Steve Cotterill – said: “I got a phone call from the people at Birmingham.

“I drove to London, had a meeting for 10 to 15 minutes and said ‘Yeah, I will do it, no problem’. I got home and my wife said: ‘Are you mad?’

“Birmingham is a proper club – a good club. They are in a precarious position and we have got the worst goal difference as well.” –