Redknapp has sympathy for Strachan

13 April 2012

West Ham manager Harry Redknapp has come to the defence of his under-fire Coventry counterpart Gordon Strachan.

The Hammers take on Coventry at Upton Park in Monday's live TV clash, with Strachan clinging on to his job after a run of poor results.

But Redknapp thinks the critics need to look at all the facts before condemning him to the managerial scrapheap.

"Some managers in the Premiership have been given £60million or more to spend, whereas Gordon had to sell his best player, Robbie Keane," said Redknapp. "He also lost Gary McAllister, who is still a good player.

"It is very difficult for people like that and you get judged on results. That is the same story all through the league.

"Ian Holloway got sacked as manager of Bristol Rovers last week, yet he had sold four strikers. He suddenly got some bad results and then got the sack - that is how the game is.

"It is unfair. You look at certain managers and say 'what chance have they got' especially someone like Gordon who had to sell Keane without being given millions to invest in the squad."

While Strachan's managerial future is in some doubt, Redknapp is set to sign a contract extension which will tie him to the Hammers until the end of the 2004/05 season.

That will mean 10 years in the Upton Park hotseat for Redknapp, who replaced Billy Bonds in 1994. With Sir Alex Ferguson due to stand down at Old Trafford in 2002, it will also make him the longest-serving manager in the Premiership.

"To stay at one club for so long is quite rare these days," said Redknapp. "But it says a lot about the type of club West Ham are. They have always been loyal to their managers over the years and do not chop and change."

Redknapp hopes to have Shaka Hislop, Paolo di Canio and Igor Stimac back from injury, while Coventry will give a debut to the striker they hope will save them from relegation - former Hammer John Hartson.

Hartson is hoping to turn the clock back four years and safeguard the club's Premiership status, just as he did when he first joined West Ham.