Harry Redknapp rated Stewart Downing better than Bale .....

[Ernest]

.....Southgate turned down £11million cash and Gareth Bale for him when he was manager at Middlesbrough.

And this **** is now in charge of the England U21's

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/07/transfer-window-rumours-newcastle-united-tottenham-hotspur-middlesbrough

 

[Luke93]

Very harsh, at the time Bale was just potential.

 

[Simster]

Very harsh, at the time Bale was just potential.

Isn't that what GOOD managers do? Spot potential. You know, like SAF did with Giggs, Beckham, Scholes etc?

 

[jonny.rainbow]

He wanted a TIRED and TESTED English RIGHT footer.

 

[KJP]

That was when bale was playing awful and losing every game he played in at left back wasn't it?

 

[Ernest]

Seeing as Southgate is now in charge of developing and spotting U21 talent it says something of his ability that he turned him and 11million down for Downing

 

[MJsGhost]

Not wanting to get in the way of a good Redknapp-bashing story, but where in that article does it actually say that he actually offered Bale to Southgate?

Obviously if it did happen, it's further proof that 'arry is a complete mong. I do love it when he takes a load of credit for Bale's development, when he had dropped him (and even if the above story is bo||ocks, it's still well known that he was trying to move him on), only to be forced to play him in because of a load of injuries...

 

[Nathan]

Was it actually Southgate that said no i don't want bale and 11m, or was it the chairman.

 

[TonyW]

SAF couldn't spot his arse with a mirror.
His Academy staff did though.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

He wanted a TIRED and TESTED English RIGHT footer.

TIRED AND TESTED

 

[The Optimist]

The article says that Southgate was only getting to let Downing go if he got Bale in part exchange. So Southgate rated Bale.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

It was well known that Redknapp tried to flog Bale, Fulham were close to signing him at one point.

No patience for young British players when you can sign a foreigner who might be better.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

SAF couldn't spot his arse with a mirror.
His Academy staff did though.

Yeah, what has SAF ever done eh?

 

[e77]

Strange how Redknapp went from producing half the England team at West Ham to practically no youth development at subsequent clubs.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Strange how Redknapp went from producing half the England team at West Ham to practically no youth development at subsequent clubs.

Ron Greenwood was the manager in '66, not Redknapp.