Exclusive: Harry Redknapp denies responsibility for Birmingham spending spree that could lead to 12-point deduction

While Redknapp was in charge at St. Andrew’s, Birmingham signed 14 players in the summer before the start of the 2017/18 season
While Redknapp was in charge at St. Andrew’s, Birmingham signed 14 players in the summer before the start of the 2017/18 season Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Harry Redknapp has defended his role in the huge spending spree which has left Birmingham City facing a potential 12-point deduction.

Redknapp has broken cover and claimed he was never in control over player signings and recruitment during his brief spell at the Championship club, insisting he cannot be blamed for the financial crisis.

While Redknapp was in charge at St. Andrew’s, Birmingham signed 14 players in the summer before the start of the 2017/18 season which led to a significant increase in wages.

Though he managed to keep the club up on the final day the season before, he was sacked early in the campaign after six straight defeats.

Redknapp and his predecessor Gianfranco Zola have since been targeted by some Birmingham supporters for the club’s financial plight, after recent accounts revealed losses of £37.5million in the 12 months to the end of June 2018.

Birmingham are facing punishment by the English Football League over breaching profitability and sustainability rules, with the club bracing themselves for a deduction of up to 12 points which would plunge them into a relegation battle.

Redknapp was sacked in September 2017 after six straight defeats
Redknapp was sacked in September 2017 after six straight defeats Credit: GETTY IMAGES

But Redknapp has revealed he was never warned about the club breaking rules and said he had no involvement in transfers.

“It’s surely down to the people who run the club, like the chief executive and the chairman, or whoever, to know if we’ve got any money to spend,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“I didn’t know anything about Financial Fair Play. I was never warned by anyone at the football club that there was going to be a problem with that.

“There were three lads from Brentford that came in [Jota, Harlee Dean and Maxime Colin] – they were all good players but they weren’t on my shopping list.

“I’d never even see any of them play, they were brought in by other people above my head.

“We bought in Isaac Vassell for £1m [from Luton Town], and he will be worth massive money in my opinion. He was an absolute bargain, but I can’t even take credit for that because he was nothing to do with me, to be truthful.

“I don’t think any of the signings were mine. I was taking John Ruddy on a free transfer from Norwich and instead they brought in David Stockdale from Brighton. The director of football [Jeff Vetere] wasn’t brought in by me either.”

Birmingham were punished with a transfer embargo last summer for exceeding the permitted losses of £39m in a three-year period, and manager Garry Monk has been forced to operate under a business plan agreed with the EFL.

Birmingham’s sanctions are set to be announced before their game at West Bromwich Albion a week on Friday
Birmingham’s sanctions are set to be announced before their game at West Bromwich Albion a week on Friday Credit: PA

The club is owned by Trillion Trophy Asia, a sports holding company based in Hong Kong, with daily operations at the club led by Xuandong Ren, the chief executive.

Club officials and the EFL appeared before a disciplinary commission on Monday, and the panel are expected to deliver a verdict within the next ten days. Birmingham’s sanctions are set to be announced before their game at West Bromwich Albion a week on Friday.

A 12-points deduction would drag them towards the bottom three, only two points above Rotherham who are currently 22nd in the table.

“Of course I’d be disappointed if they got points deducted,” said Redknapp. “Birmingham is a smashing club and I enjoyed my time there. The fans were fantastic.

“I was only in there for 13 games and keeping them up on the last day of the season at Bristol City was a massive moment. I’ll never forget that afternoon.

“All of the players that were brought in have turned out to be very good. Every one of them is worth every penny that was paid for them. They wouldn’t lose any money on them as a group, that’s for sure.”

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