We’ve all seen it happen—someone cracks a joke in a room full of people, it gets a laugh, and then it resurfaces later… out of context, misunderstood, and suddenly headline news.
That’s exactly what happened to former football manager Harry Redknapp, who’s now speaking out after a light-hearted comment about England’s new coach, Thomas Tuchel, made waves.
Redknapp’s “Spy” Comment Meant as a Joke, He Says
During an event in London back in March, Redknapp was caught on video joking that Tuchel, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss, had been “sent over to f*** us up.”
It came during a discussion about Tuchel taking over as England’s head coach following Gareth Southgate’s tenure.
The comment was clearly meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but not everyone took it that way.
In the footage, Redknapp even playfully compared Tuchel to wartime broadcaster Lord Haw Haw, joking in a mock German accent before leaving the stage.
Now, speaking to Al Arabiya News, Redknapp has tried to set the record straight.
“Oh my god, it was a joke, you know, that badly backfired.
But it was only a joke,” he said. “Hopefully, he can do well with the team. He’s certainly got talent at his disposal.”
A Mixed Reaction to Tuchel’s Appointment
Tuchel’s appointment raised eyebrows initially—not because of his coaching credentials, but due to his German nationality.
While his trophy cabinet speaks for itself, having won titles with both Chelsea and Bayern, some fans were uneasy about a non-English manager leading the national team.
Still, Tuchel hasn’t wasted any time proving doubters wrong.
In his early games in charge, England secured a 2-0 win over Albania and followed it up with a 3-0 victory against Latvia.
Redknapp, despite his joke, acknowledged Tuchel’s capabilities.
“He managed a lot of the players at Chelsea,” he noted, pointing out the chemistry already in place with several squad members.
“We’ve got some fantastic young players in this country at the moment.”
Rumors of a “Salute” Stir Controversy
Adding fuel to the fire, some reports claimed that Redknapp made a “Nazi salute” during the event.
However, The Guardian reviewed the footage and found it to be inconclusive.
No clear evidence backed the claim, and many, including those in attendance, brushed it off as a misinterpretation.
A Nod to Southgate, But No Regrets
Redknapp also used the opportunity to share his respect for Gareth Southgate, saying, “I liked Gareth Southgate, I liked him a lot, but we should have won something.”
Despite being fond of Southgate’s leadership, Redknapp’s joke suggested he wasn’t entirely sold on Tuchel—at least in jest.
Interestingly, Redknapp was once seen as a frontrunner for the England job himself, particularly after Fabio Capello stepped down in 2012. But the FA chose Roy Hodgson instead.
Back on the Sidelines for Soccer Aid
While Redknapp might no longer be vying for national coaching duties, he’s not completely out of the game.
He’ll be back in the dugout this year for the Soccer Aid charity match at Old Trafford, coaching the England squad in their match against the Rest of the World XI.
It’s all in support of Unicef, a cause close to his heart.