Harry Redknapp: Birmingham City sack manager after poor run
Veteran manager Harry Redknapp was sacked by second-tier Birmingham City on Saturday after a 3-1 home defeat by Preston, the club announced.
Harry Redknapp Sacked By Birmingham
Harry Redknapp
The 70-year-old, whose coaching career has included Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth, was briefly hailed as a saviour after he kept Birmingham in the division last term having taken over following a disastrous spell in charge by Italian Gianfranco Zola.
However, despite an influx of players in the close season, Birmingham suffered a sixth successive defeat and have just four points from eight league matches.
“Blues have parted company with manager Harry Redknapp,” read a terse statement form the club.
Redknapp, who had been in charge for just 13 matches, had appeared not to be aware of an impending decision although he accepted the blame for the abject display in Saturday’s match.
“The players have got to adjust to the Championship if they are going to survive in this league. It was horrendous defending in the middle of the park,” he said.
“I didn’t tell them to do that, that’s for sure, but I take the blame — that’s the way the game is.”
Less than five months in charge
Birmingham signed 14 players during the summer transfer window, but six defeats from their first eight league games in 2017-18 saw Redknapp become the first managerial casualty of the Championship season.
Saturday's 3-1 home loss to Preston was the ex-West Ham and QPR boss' final match in charge of the Blues.
Redknapp initially worked without asking for payment from Blues for the final three games of 2016-17, having replaced Gianfranco Zola.
Birmingham are 23rd in the table after their first eight league games, above only winless, newly-promoted Bolton Wanderers.
Carsley, 43, who was previously head coach at Brentford on an interim basis in 2015, steps up from the role of development squad manager at Birmingham.
Redknapp 'enjoying the job'
Speaking after the loss to Preston but before his departure was announced, Redknapp told BBC WM 95.6: "Fans deserve better and that was my motivation to carry on this season.
"I do not come to work because I need the money, I enjoy the job and leaving home at 5.15 every morning. I would love to be the manager to bring some success to Birmingham."
Redknapp had replaced Zola 16 hours after the Italian's resignation in April, following the Blues' dismal run of two wins in 24 matches under the former Chelsea forward.
When Gary Rowett was sacked in December, Blues had been seventh in the table, outside the play-off places only on goal difference, but they narrowly survived relegation on the final day thanks to a 1-0 win at Bristol City.
Birmingham's next match on Saturday, 23 September is away to Rowett's current side, Derby County.
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