It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for as Harry Redknapp made his long awaited international managerial debut today, but not necessarily in a role we would have expected.
Redknapp, who most recently managed Premier League outfit Queens Park Rangers, started the next chapter in his management career today when he was dramatically revealed as the new manager of the England Bowls team in front of startled players, spectators and media alike.
In an exclusive video released from Temple Bowls Club today, Redknapp said, “When you’ve been in the game for as long as I have you’re always looking for that next big challenge and when the chance to manage my country came along it was too good to turn down.”
Having managed the likes of Portsmouth, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur across an illustrious management career spanning over 30 years, the 67-year old handed in his resignation at Loftus Road in February due to ongoing knee complications that would later require reconstructive surgery.
After an intensive rehabilitation programme and having recently moved into a new seaside mansion to help his recuperation, Redknapp confirmed back in April that he was ‘fit as a fiddle’ and ready for a return to management.
With reported offers on the table from big spending clubs both home and abroad, Redknapp decided it was time to replace the dugout for the more tranquil settings of the bowls green.
“It’s been well documented by you lot about my dodgy knee but I have really missed it and have been hungry to get back in,” Redknapp admitted.
“Of course managing the England Bowls Team is something a bit different, but you give me a manager who isn’t looking to take on a big challenge.
“It may not be Upton Park, White Hart Lane or Loftus Road; but standing on the side of that bowls green makes the hairs on the back of my neck really stand up.”
But as is often the case with football, there is more to the announcement than meets the eye!
Redknapp was actually at the club to shoot a mock documentary in association with England Bowls sponsor FLEXISEQ, a drug-free gel used to reduce joint pain and stiffness.
FLEXISEQ, a topically applied, non-prescription gel designed to keep people of all ages active, has been attributed with assisting Redknapp in his rehabilitation from knee injury.
Available in two different product variations, FLEXISEQ is specially formulated to combat joint pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis whilst new FLEXISEQ Sport allows sports people to avoid the discomfort and debilitating effects of joint pain, muscle soreness and overuse of painkillers. Staged at ‘England Bowls HQ’, the tongue in cheek video follows a day in the life of Redknapp as he attempts to implement some of his more football-suited coaching techniques with his new team of elderly bowls internationals.
“Sport isn’t always just about winning, it’s also about having a sense of humour and making fun of yourself sometimes,” said Redknapp. “Whether it’s being linked to the England football managerial job or headlines around bad knees, there’s always speculation around me and it’s nice to be able to make light of these.”
Whilst Redknapp has no immediate plans to join the actual England Bowls team, who play in the British Isles Championships in Scotland this weekend, he certainly hasn’t closed the door on a potential return to the bowls green.
“Playing the role of England Bowls Manager has been really enjoyable and who wouldn’t want to manage in these surroundings,” said Redknapp.
“Generally the pace here is a bit slower than I am used to but that suits me at the moment. If England Bowls did want me to come and manage for real this summer then of course it would be a hard offer to turn down.”
Harry Redknapp uses FLEXISEQ – the drug-free, pain relieving gel designed to keep people of all ages active. Discover more at Flexiseq.com.
Ascension Healthcare plc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercialising innovative therapies for the treatment of haemophilia and osteoarthritis. The Company has three products in clinical development for the treatment of haemophilia A and also a range of internationally marketed products for osteoarthritis sufferers. For more information please visit: www.ascension.co.uk/
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