It was always destined to be that Harry Redknapp would eventually return to management sooner rather than later. Chelsea and Ukraine were both linked, but it was Queen’s Park Rangers who were the team to bring the veteran boss back into the big bad world of football.
Following Mark Hughes’ sacking on the eve of the R’s encounter with Manchester United, it was too late for Redknapp to take his place on the bench at Old Trafford. Nevertheless, he was in attendance as he oversaw his new side succumb to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the 12-time Premiership champions.
The move has been in the pipeline for some time, especially since QPR remain rock bottom of the table with only four points from 13 games. It isn’t quite two points from eight games that Redknapp became famous for, but it’s certainly close.
Yet, many have instantaneously assumed that upon is appointment, QPR are all but safe. With the players at his disposal, you can understand why many will believe that. On the other hand, people also forget about his ill fated stint with Southampton.
Being charged with keeping the South Coast club in the Premiership, Saints were relegated that season and spent a further six months at the St. Mary’s Stadium before leaving the club and returning to local rivals Portsmouth.
Redknapp is a good manager, don’t get me wrong, and the R’s now have a greater chances of staving off relegation then they did under Mark Hughes. But, it doesn’t mean Premier League safety is a dead cert, something QPR supporters need to understand.