Harry Redknapp has been officially confirmed as the new manager of Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur following the sacking of Juande Ramos last night. Spurs, who sit bottom of the English top flight, have agreed a compensation package of around five million pounds (7.9 million dollars) with Portsmouth to bring in Redknapp immediately.
Ramos left the club after its worst-ever start to the season which has left it anchored to the bottom of the league, Spurs announced late Saturday. Redknapp-who was in charge at Portsmouth-was confirmed as the new man in charge at White Hart Lane after Portsmouth had "reluctantly" agreed to talks.
It has led to a return to London for the former West Ham boss, and although facing a huge challenge Redknapp believes his move will be best for the long-term future of both clubs. He told BBC Radio Five Live Sportsweek programme: "I suddenly got a phone call and was told Tottenham were interested in me, and I thought it was a wind-up at first.
"Then when I had spoken to them, I decided it was a good move for everybody, for Portsmouth as well in the long term and they have a terrific compensation deal when things were a bit tight.
"I just thought maybe it was time to move on and Tottenham are a big, big club. "I could have gone to Newcastle, but did not take it and a lot of people said 'he does not have any ambition', so this is a good chance for me.
Despite winning the League Cup in February, Spurs have taken just two points from eight games. Their UEFA Cup group campaign also got off to a poor start Thursday when they were beaten 2-0 at Udinese amid reports that dressing room confidence has hit rock-bottom.
The north-east London club announced Saturday that Ramos, formerly in charge at Sevilla, and other key staff were leaving. A statement from Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy on Sunday read: "Relieving Juande Ramos, our head coach, and Juande's assistants, Gus Poyet and Marcos Alvarez, of their posts is not something I have undertaken lightly.
"Unfortunately, our record of just three league wins since our memorable Carling Cup victory against Chelsea last February, combined with our extremely poor start to the season, led the board and I to determine that significant change was necessary as a matter of urgency."
Levy made it clear the departure of sporting director Comolli signalled a return to a "more traditional style of football management".
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