Harry Redknapp hopes Ipswich Town FC survive in Premier League

When questioned about the Suffolk club’s back-to-back promotions, the former West Ham and Tottenham manager—who was previously Marcus Evans’ advisor—spoke highly of them.

“Ipswich is a beautiful, excellent football team with a rich history that includes Alf Ramsey, Bobby Robson, and the work of George Burley. It’s wonderful to see them return there,”

he remarked. “When they visit Bournemouth, I am excited to see them. I’ll be present. Every week, I attend every Bournemouth game. I get my tickets and take the grandchildren along.

“I hope that Ipswich remains up. I genuinely do. I really hope they stay up. I’m hoping these take people by surprise. “Everyone believed Bournemouth would lose when Eddie Howe played them back then; the stadium can accommodate 11,000 spectators.

“But they suddenly established themselves in the Premier League, which I could never in a million years have imagined.

“If you’d said to me 20-odd years ago that Bournemouth will be in the Premier League one day – we were getting 2,500, 3,000 people in there.

“It’s not like Ipswich. Ipswich has always been a good club with incredible players like (Kevin) Beattie and Alan Brazil, Matt Holland, Arnold Muhren and (Frans) Thijssen – the two Dutchmen, two of the first to come over who were fantastic players back in the day. Good luck to them.”

Meanwhile, Redknapp, speaking as a brand ambassador for free to play fantasy football game Sorare, discussed England’s chances at Euro 2024.

In response to Iceland’s 1-0 victory over England at Wembley last Friday, he said, “I really fancy us to win the Euros but that really was a bit of a downer.”

If we’re being really honest, it does seem to raise some questions in your mind that weren’t there before. “With everything the Icelandic goalie had to do, I could have easily played in goal instead of him.”

We hit the target with one shot or something ridiculous. “I was a little let down to hear Gareth (Southgate) state that our off-ball actions were more of a problem than our on-ball actions. I’m not sure I understand that one at all. Perhaps it’s too deep for me to grasp.”

He continued: “I think Harry Maguire’s a big loss for us, I really do. I know he’s not everybody’s favourite player, but he’s great in both boxes at set plays and he’s a leader, a character. The players like him. He’s a big personality around the team and in the camp. We mustn’t kid ourselves. That is the problem area.”

With England set to start their campaign against Serbia on Sunday night, he added: “When you look at the other squads and then you look at our squad, it’s an amazing group of players really.

We have so much offensive talent that I believe we can dominate teams. I believe we need to attack teams and really take the game to them rather than trying to stand back and be overly defensive.Gareth errs slightly on the side of caution. That’s how he does things.

Though I would give this group a try, it works for him. Jude Bellingham is now the main focus. What a gift. Is Kyle Walker a superior right-back anywhere? (Phil) Foden, the Premier League’s player of the year, most likely.

Perhaps the greatest center forward in the world is Harry Kane. (Bukayo) Saka has two more years of experience under his belt. Declan Rice now possesses greater experience.