Redknapp: People at top didn't like me (From Enfield Independent)

Redknapp: People at top didn't like me

7:04am Friday 15th June 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

Harry Redknapp refuses to be downbeat after being sacked by Tottenham in "strange, unexpected circumstances".

Spurs confirmed the 65-year-old's departure in the early hours of Thursday morning and while the former Portsmouth boss admits he wishes he could have stayed, he believes the writing was on the wall as he was disliked by the Tottenham hierarchy.

He told The Sun: "I won't slit my throat over it. I want to get on with my life instead of moping about getting the sack. I loved every minute of my time at Spurs and I've no regrets whatsoever. I don't feel bitter, nor regretful, there's no confusion or anger."

He added: "When people at the top don't like you, what can you do about it? I have to respect it. I can't do anything about that."

Redknapp had transformed the fortunes of the north London club since taking charge in October 2008 following the sacking of Juande Ramos, with the club having taken just two points from their first eight Barclays Premier League games.

In his first full season in charge, he guided Spurs to fourth position, taking them into the Champions League for the first time. Spurs played some exhilarating football on their way to the quarter-finals, before being knocked out by Real Madrid.

Since then Redknapp has twice failed to secure Champions League football at White Hart Lane, albeit with a touch of misfortune this season as Chelsea snatched the last available place away from them with their win over Bayern Munich in this year's final.

Redknapp told the Daily Mail: "These are strange, unexpected circumstances to be leaving now. We did a good job. If someone had offered me fourth place before the season started, I'd have taken it."

Redknapp's departure brought to an end a dramatic season in which he underwent a heart procedure in November, was cleared of tax evasion in February and missed out on the England job in May. In amongst it all, his side let a 10-point lead over rivals Arsenal slip, which ultimately cost them their place among Europe's elite.

"People read all these different things into how our season ended, but I know the reality," Redknapp continued. "When you end up with two free transfers playing centre half, as we did at times, that is going to have an impact."