Ex-Tottenham and West Ham boss Harry Redknapp expects Birmingham City decision this week

Staying up: Redknapp celebrates Birmingham's survival with local hero Craig Gardner
Getty Images
James Benge8 May 2017

Former West Ham and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp expects a decision to be made on his position at Birmingham City by the end of the week.

Standard Sport columnist Redknapp fulfilled his brief of keeping Birmingham in the Championship in style on Sunday, claiming the second win of his three games in charge with a 1-0 victory over Bristol City.

The 70-year-old had agreed to take over from Gianfranco Zola in a short-term capacity but hinted he could be open to staying in the Midlands for longer after talks with Blues owners Trillion Trophy Asia.

"I've had a chat with the owners, I met them last night for the first time," he told BBC WM. "I had a really interesting meeting. They were very nice, very good people and they obviously want to take the club forward.

"They're not going to throw crazy money at it to try and achieve that, but they will invest. It's just a case of wait and see. I'm going to have another couple of meetings with them and we'll see where we're going.

"I would think within the week (a decision will be reached). I'm not playing hardball with anybody. It's just a case of making sure.

"I've been managing an awful long time so to go back into it again full-time is a big, big decision for me. I've got to make sure I do what is best for myself as well."

Birmingham players celebrate their survival at Ashton Gate
Getty Images

Birmingham would be the seventh club of Redknapp’s 34 year managerial career and he admits there would be a significant rebuild required at St Andrews, which has hosted Championship football for the last five seasons since the Blues’ third relegation from the top flight.

"I'm interested in staying but there's a lot of work to be done, it's a tough division," he noted.

"Look where teams like Norwich and Villa, who spent absolute fortunes, have finished this year.

"But I've been really impressed with the club and the people at Birmingham."

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