Retime

HARRY REDKNAPP once told a reporter to “F*** off” after being called a “Wheeler-dealer” in a TV interview – but it’s fair to say the former West Ham and Tottenham manager did have a nose for a bargain.Despite bringing Paolo Di Canio to West Ham, Robbie Keane to Tottenham and Niko Kranjcar to three of the clubs he managed, not all of his signings worked out so well.
Harry Redknapp made a number of shocking signings as managerCredit: PA:Press Association
Sun Sport columnist Redknapp, 76, revealed his worst transfers during his time in the hit show I’m a Celebrity in 2018.
While there are a few names that might spring to mind including Paulo Futre, Bongani Khumalo and Titi Camara, it was two other West Ham signings that Redknapp deemed his worst.
Redknapp was manager of the Hammers from 1994 to 2001 and signed nearly 50 players during his time in East London.
Marco Boogers was signed by Redknapp for £800,000 from Sparta Rotterdam in 1995 after the manager was shown a video of him looking “different class.”
The Dutchman featured only four times for West Ham and did not start a single game. He was sent off early in his Hammers career after a horrific challenge on Gary Neville at Old Trafford before going missing soon after.
Boogers failed to find the net in claret and blue and based on Redknapp’s comments, that is hardly surprising.
Redknapp said: “Right from the word go Boogers’ attitude stank. He was among the stragglers at the back whenever we went for a run, he didn’t want to work, he was lazy and the players all took an instant dislike to him.
Marco Boogers is considered one of Harry Redknapp’s worst signings in footballCredit: Allsport – Getty
Florin Raducioiu is ranked as one of Harry Redknapp’s worst ever signingsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
“I suppose you could say he could play a bit, but certainly he was nowhere near as impressive as the video had made him out to be.

“He was declared ‘psychologically unfit for football’ – which only meant he’d persuaded a doctor to come up with some excuse why he couldn’t return – and disappeared somewhere back home.”
He added: “We eventually found him hiding out in a caravan in Holland and only got him back by reading him the riot act.
“But his attitude was no better when he returned and we got shot of him to Groningen in the Dutch league.”
The other man Redknapp wished he had never signed was Romanian striker Florin Raducioiu, who Redknapp bought from Espanyol for £1.5million in August 1996. He had been impressed by his performances for Romania at Euro 96 where he scored his country’s only goal of the tournament.
Although initially impressed, it quickly became clear to Redknapp that the Romanian was not going to cut it.
He said: “I worked for a couple of hours with Raducioiu on the first day in training and I must admit he impressed me. He was a quality finisher and I really thought he’d be a success.
“But the moment we got into anything physical, he didn’t want to know.
“He just couldn’t face being tackled in any shape or form. Dicksy was anxious to get stuck in to him to see what he was made of, but Raducioiu made it clear that he wouldn’t be challenging for anything.”
‘BIG GIRL’

He added: “In his first two friendlies, Raducioiu did nothing but moan about the rough treatment he was getting from opposition centre-halves.
“Don’t ask me to explain how a former world class player can suddenly become a fairy, but something had obviously happened to Raducioiu and he’d completely lost it.
Julian Dicks was keen to “get stuck in” to Raducioiu according to RedknappCredit: PA:Empics Sport
“He’d been used to queuing for three hours in Bucharest for a loaf of bread and suddenly he was wearing a £28,000 watch. Perhaps the transition was too much for him.”
The Romanian only featured 11 times for West Ham and managed to score two goals but Redknapp was not the only one he struggled to convince.
Paulo Futre, another Redknapp flop, reportedly called him a “big girl” in a training ground confrontation.
Redknapp’s patience finally ran out when Raducioiu failed to turn up for a League Cup tie at Stockport, which the Hammers went on to lose.
Harry Redknapp has revealed his worst two signingsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
He said: “You can imagine my mood the next day when a friend rang me and told me the previous evening he’d spotted Raducioiu out shopping with his wife in the Harvey Nichols store in London.
“I knew then I had to get rid of him but it wasn’t easy.”
Raducioiu finally left Upton Park in January 1997, returning to Espanyol. More

PETER CROUCH has revealed what happened when he spotted Brazil legend Ronaldo on the beach in Ibiza.The two-time World Cup winner was swigging beers alongside a supermodel as he balanced an ashtray on his stomach.
Peter Crouch and Ronaldo crossed paths on the party island of Ibiza
Crouch did not want to miss the chance to take a cheeky selfie with the former Real Madrid star.
The ex-England star even joked that he was shocked that Ronaldo did not recognise him.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, the 6ft 6in striker recalled: “I met him once, actually. I was on holiday in Ibiza and I saw him on the beach.
“He was busy getting through bottles of beer and had an ashtray balanced on his stomach.
“Every time he finished his drink, the supermodel who was with him brought him another.
“The chance to have a picture with him was too good to turn down, so I went over.
“I hoped he was going to say, ‘Oh, you’re Crouch!’ but he didn’t have a clue who I was.
“The picture was taken and off I went with him oblivious to the fact I was a footballer.”
Even though he did not recognise him, Crouch claimed the former Barcelona man would be his dream team-mate.
When asked who he would most like to play alongside, he said: “That is so difficult.
“Dennis Bergkamp was special and it would have been incredible to play alongside him, but my overwhelming choice would be the original Ronaldo.
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“I’m not sure our styles would have matched each other, but 90 minutes with him would have made my life.”
Ronaldo hung up his boots in 2011 after playing for PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Madrid and AC Milan.
But the 46-year-old, who scored 62 goals in 98 appearances for Brazil, is clearly enjoying his retirement. He is now a team owner of both Real Valladolid and Cruzeiro. More

DECLAN RICE revealed how a phone call from Chelsea legend John Terry during his darkest moment helped turn him into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.The West Ham star, now 24, is a target for Arsenal and Man Utd following a string of impressive performances for club and country.
Declan Rice has revealed how John Terry took the time to call him with advice after he was released by ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
But things looked bleak for the England international in 2014 when he was given the boot by the Blues after having trained with them as a schoolboy.
And in the crestfallen teenager’s moment of need, club legend Terry reached out to the future star who had idolised him as a child.
Rice told the Times in 2018: “John would speak to the parents and take his time to get to know young players and families. For a club captain to do that is quality.
“I based my whole game on John when I was younger. When I was released by Chelsea he called for 45 minutes and I remember I was sat in my room next to my dad.
“It was John Terry – I could not believe it.
“He handed over all his experience and advice. He said to never stop, always keep working hard and give everything you have.
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“It stayed in my head, and look where I am now. No dream is far away.
“I last met John for a two-hour breakfast with my cousin about six months ago. Sometimes I text him, like when he retired and he replied ‘Thanks mate, it is your time now.'”
Rice finally got his chance after impressing during a trial at West Ham, and is now skipper of David Moyes’ side.
The former Chelsea academy star’s displays for the east Londoners have seen him become a perennial starter for Gareth Southgate’s England side.
In just three years, Rice has made 41 appearances for the Three Lions and scored three goals.
Rice’s dominance in the heart of the Hammers’ midfield has also seen him attack the interest of The Gunners.
Both Manchester City and Manchester United are understood to be interested in acquiring his services, but any deal would likely cost over £100million.
Terry spent 45 minutes on the phone to Rice after he was axed by Chelsea as a schoolboyCredit: Reuters More

JOSE MOURINHO revealed his all-time XI of players he has managed – but it had NO Manchester United stars selected.The Special One was appointed as United boss in May 2016, but despite winning the Europa League and Carabao Cup in his first season, fans never really took to him.

Mourinho was sacked in December 2018, his time at the club blighted by rumours of fall-outs with Paul Pogba.
Unsurprisingly the French midfielder doesn’t make the all-star XI, as reported by AS in 2020.
And there are certainly plenty of surprise omissions considering some of the world class players Jose – who now manages Roma in Serie A – has worked with in the past. Perhaps Tammy Abraham might have made the cut, if he had picked the team more recently.
Sergio Ramos, David De Gea, Iker Casillas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could easily have bagged a spot in the team too.
And, of course, there is Mourinho’s former star striker Harry Kane at Spurs – but he failed to make the cut as well.
In goal Mourinho has gone for Petr Cech, who was his No1 during some glorious spells at Chelsea.
In defence, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, two of Mourinho’s rocks during his Chelsea days, are at centre-half, with William Gallas and Javier Zanetti occupying the full-back slots.
Zanetti is the only player to feature from Inter Milan, where Mourinho coached between 2008 and 2010 and won the Champions League as part of a treble in his final season.
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The Chelsea core continues throughout the rest of the team.
Claude Makelele sits in the defensive midfield position. Frank Lampard plays just in front of him alongside ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, who Mourinho managed during his time at Real Madrid between 2010-13.
Eden Hazard and Cristiano Ronaldo will cut in from the flanks to provide the goals and assists for frontman Didier Drogba.
Jose Mourinho has managed some of the greatest footballers of all timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

LEICESTER CITY unveiled their stunning new £100million training complex in 2020, which is as good as anyone else’s in the country.Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha delivered the legacy promised by his late father Vichai, who first had the vision to transform a former golf course in Leicestershire into a state-of-the-art futuristic facility.
Leicester City unveiled their £100million training complex in 2020
The club trained in the ground for the first time in December, 2020
It includes 14 full-size training pitches
Nine of those 18 holes have been kept intact with Jamie Vardy and co free to test their skills.
The Foxes’ new lair also boasts 21 training areas, 14 full-size training pitches and a 499-seater pitch for youth team matches.
The seven-building complex includes a dedication to Vichai – with the administrative and medical hub named after the late owner.
It’s the most significant investment in the club’s history, if you think of everything they’ve done, the owners, since they’ve been hereBrendan Rodgers
Their former Belvoir Drive facility – which has been Leicester’s training since 1964 – is now home to the club’s women’s team.
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Meanwhile, the training complex possesses a swimming pool with room for a restaurant and features such as customised gym.
Former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said at the time of its opening: “To be able to move into one of the most advanced training facilities in the whole world is something we’re all so excited about.
“I’ve been dropping in there over the last number of months and now it’s finally arrived, the time that we can look to go in, we’re really looking forward to it.
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“It’s amazing and, now we’re going to this new site, it just takes you into a different world altogether and it’s a world we’re looking forward to being in.
“It’s the most significant investment in the club’s history, if you think of everything they’ve done, the owners, since they’ve been here. This facility is going to help improve players, but also people.
“The essence of Leicester City – and I’ve really found this since I’ve been here – is a genuine want to develop people and help people, whether you’re a player or a member of staff.
“That’s something which comes from the very top. To have that at the top of your club, of course we’re all very lucky to be able to work here and experience that.”
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Leicester transformed a former golf course into a state-of-the-art facility
Ex-Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers claimed it was the most significant investment in the club’s history
Leicester had been training at the Belvoir Drive facility for nearly 60 years More