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I've been mugged! Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is robbed in street on Spanish scouting trip
By Laura Williamson
Last updated at 2:14 AM on 22nd January 2011
Harry Redknapp has revealed he was ‘mugged’ before watching transfer target Diego Forlan play for Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid on Thursday night.
The Tottenham boss was approaching Atletico’s Vicente Calderon Stadium with his assistant, Kevin Bond, when thieves took a substantial amount of cash and all Redknapp’s credit cards.
The 63-year-old held on to his mobile phone and passport, which was in his shirt pocket.
Mugged: Harry Redknapp had money and credit cards stolen in Madrid
Redknapp was at the game to see Uruguay striker Forlan, although his £85,000-a-week wages could prohibit a move to White Hart Lane.
Redknapp would have been disappointed not to have the chance to watch Lassana Diarra, another player he is interested in signing but who did not feature.
Redknapp said: ‘He (Forlan) is an interesting player, a good player. But it was difficult to concentrate on the game, because I got mugged before the game. I got my pockets picked. Unbelievable.
‘I’m walking round the outside of the stadium and it’s a fantastic atmosphere. There are little stalls
there selling sweets.
‘I got some sweets and the next thing I felt someone pull my overcoat. There are two guys on their knees in front of me and they’ve got my trousers and they keep pulling them.
‘I thought, “What are you doing?” The next thing he’s got keys on the floor and I thought, “Is he blind?” I’m going, “Let go of my trousers”, pushing them away, and while I’m doing that they’re rifling
my pockets. There were about six of them.
‘Kevin said, “I saw them do it”. And I thought, “Well, why didn’t you do something about it?”
Attracting interest: Atletico Madrid star Diego Forlan
‘They took everything. All my money, credit cards, everything really. It was amazing. If you ever go, just be careful.’
Redknapp and Bond left the match early. Redknapp decided not to inform the police. He said: ‘I don’t think they (the thieves) knew who I was. They probably thought, “He’s not Spanish, obviously, and we’re looking for a foreigner”.
‘But they had a result. I said they would be in a restaurant, drinking the best wine and having the best steak. Me and Kevin didn’t have enough money for a glass of wine.’
Redknapp’s focus now switches to Saturday's trip to Newcastle, where new signing Steven Pienaar will be in the squad. The arrival of the 28-year-old South Africa midfielder increases the chances of Niko Kranjcar leaving the club this month.
Redknapp said: ‘Pienaar can play central (or) he can play off the other (right) side. He gives us cover there, whereas Niko has always played off the left. That’s where he is best.
One to watch: Redknapp was also interested in scouting Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra
‘He’d like to play and I’ve said, “I understand that, Niko, and, if someone comes in for you, then you can go”. Unless he can find a good club here then I think he’ll go abroad.’
Redknapp also hopes Robbie Keane can secure a permanent move and accepted on Friday that another striker, Roman Pavlyuchenko, could leave. The Russian has been offered a new
deal by Tottenham, but won’t be signing it.
‘The contract offer doesn’t suit me,’ said Pavlyuchenko. ‘And there are rumours: (Emmanuel) Adebayor is coming to us, then (Andy) Carroll from Newcastle.
‘If it proves true, I’m not satisfied with being fourth or fifth choice. I don’t want to go back to sitting on the bench.’
Everton, Aston Villa andSunderland have expressed an interest in the 29-year-old striker, who wants to stay in the Barclays Premier League — preferably with a London club — because his daughter is
settled at school in the capital.
Redknapp said: ‘I don’t want to sell Pav but if someone made the right offer and he wanted to move, I am sure it is something that the club will look at.’
Ledley King’s latest groin injury means the 30-year-old defender could lose his place in Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad. Redknapp omitted Jonathan Woodgate from his list in September but he could replace King for the second half of the season.
Woodgate, 31 on Saturday, has not played since November 2009 but came through 45 minutes of a
reserve match this week.
By Laura Williamson
Last updated at 2:14 AM on 22nd January 2011
Harry Redknapp has revealed he was ‘mugged’ before watching transfer target Diego Forlan play for Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid on Thursday night.
The Tottenham boss was approaching Atletico’s Vicente Calderon Stadium with his assistant, Kevin Bond, when thieves took a substantial amount of cash and all Redknapp’s credit cards.
The 63-year-old held on to his mobile phone and passport, which was in his shirt pocket.
Mugged: Harry Redknapp had money and credit cards stolen in MadridRedknapp was at the game to see Uruguay striker Forlan, although his £85,000-a-week wages could prohibit a move to White Hart Lane.
Redknapp would have been disappointed not to have the chance to watch Lassana Diarra, another player he is interested in signing but who did not feature.
Redknapp said: ‘He (Forlan) is an interesting player, a good player. But it was difficult to concentrate on the game, because I got mugged before the game. I got my pockets picked. Unbelievable.
‘I’m walking round the outside of the stadium and it’s a fantastic atmosphere. There are little stalls
there selling sweets.
‘I got some sweets and the next thing I felt someone pull my overcoat. There are two guys on their knees in front of me and they’ve got my trousers and they keep pulling them.
‘I thought, “What are you doing?” The next thing he’s got keys on the floor and I thought, “Is he blind?” I’m going, “Let go of my trousers”, pushing them away, and while I’m doing that they’re rifling
my pockets. There were about six of them.
‘Kevin said, “I saw them do it”. And I thought, “Well, why didn’t you do something about it?”
Attracting interest: Atletico Madrid star Diego Forlan‘They took everything. All my money, credit cards, everything really. It was amazing. If you ever go, just be careful.’
Redknapp and Bond left the match early. Redknapp decided not to inform the police. He said: ‘I don’t think they (the thieves) knew who I was. They probably thought, “He’s not Spanish, obviously, and we’re looking for a foreigner”.
‘But they had a result. I said they would be in a restaurant, drinking the best wine and having the best steak. Me and Kevin didn’t have enough money for a glass of wine.’
Redknapp’s focus now switches to Saturday's trip to Newcastle, where new signing Steven Pienaar will be in the squad. The arrival of the 28-year-old South Africa midfielder increases the chances of Niko Kranjcar leaving the club this month.
Redknapp said: ‘Pienaar can play central (or) he can play off the other (right) side. He gives us cover there, whereas Niko has always played off the left. That’s where he is best.
One to watch: Redknapp was also interested in scouting Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra‘He’d like to play and I’ve said, “I understand that, Niko, and, if someone comes in for you, then you can go”. Unless he can find a good club here then I think he’ll go abroad.’
Redknapp also hopes Robbie Keane can secure a permanent move and accepted on Friday that another striker, Roman Pavlyuchenko, could leave. The Russian has been offered a new
deal by Tottenham, but won’t be signing it.
‘The contract offer doesn’t suit me,’ said Pavlyuchenko. ‘And there are rumours: (Emmanuel) Adebayor is coming to us, then (Andy) Carroll from Newcastle.
‘If it proves true, I’m not satisfied with being fourth or fifth choice. I don’t want to go back to sitting on the bench.’
Everton, Aston Villa andSunderland have expressed an interest in the 29-year-old striker, who wants to stay in the Barclays Premier League — preferably with a London club — because his daughter is
settled at school in the capital.
Redknapp said: ‘I don’t want to sell Pav but if someone made the right offer and he wanted to move, I am sure it is something that the club will look at.’
Ledley King’s latest groin injury means the 30-year-old defender could lose his place in Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad. Redknapp omitted Jonathan Woodgate from his list in September but he could replace King for the second half of the season.
Woodgate, 31 on Saturday, has not played since November 2009 but came through 45 minutes of a
reserve match this week.