Redknapp rules out Hammers return

9:13am Thursday 4th September 2008

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FORMER West Ham boss Harry Redknapp has ruled himself firmly out of the running to make a sensational return to Upton Park.

Following Alan Curbishley departure yesterday, Portsmouth chief Redknapp was quickly installed as one of the favourites to succeed the former Charlton manager.

But while Redknapp enjoyed a fairly successful seven year spell in charge of the Irons from 1994 - having previously begun his playing career there - he wont be leaving his current post at Fratton Park despite still claiming he holds the east Londoners close to his heart.

“Alan Curbishley may have gone as West Ham boss — but there’s no way I’ll replace him,” he said in his column in the Sun.

“Curbs quit because he feels he has been undermined and shown a lack of trust by the owner. I take my hat off to him for sticking to his principles.

“Don’t get me wrong, West Ham is a fantastic club, with fantastic fans and — having gone there aged 15 — it has a special place in my heart.

“But I love it at Portsmouth and I have one big advantage over a lot of Premier League bosses these days — I’ve got an owner who lets the manager manage.

“That might seem obvious but, believe me, pretty soon the whole managerial situation will have changed beyond recognition.

“You only need to look at West Ham and quite a few others. Players are bought and sold without the manager’s consent — and even knowledge in some cases. How can you do the job like that?

“West Ham sold players and it was nothing to do with Alan — but that will happen more and more.

“West Ham will always be special to me because it’s in my blood.

“But I won’t be going back to Upton Park as manager — I’m much too happy where I am.”