One of the highlights of day one of the 2014 iGaming Super Show in Amsterdam was a guest appearance from Premier League football manager Harry Redknapp, attending the event in his role as brand ambassador for 666Bet.
InterGame caught up with the QPR boss to talk football and the World Cup. “From England’s point of view it’s been a massive disappointment, you couldn’t say anything else,” says Redknapp.
“It was a [World Cup] group I really thought we’d win. I didn’t think it was a difficult group - a very poor Italian team and Uruguay who have got two fantastic forwards but other than that are very average.
“No disrespect to Costa Rica but they haven’t really got a player that you’d take at a decent Premier League club.”
But given the comparatively low expectations from England fans, could they have expected much more? “I think we’ve massively underachieved,” he says. “We’ve got good players. We should’ve done miles better - I don’t see what we can be pleased about.”
So who had Redknapp backed to be crowned world champions? “At the start I tipped Argentina or Colombia – they were my two and I’m sticking with that. Germany would be a big danger too. I like the South American teams - Colombia have got some good players, Chile too. I think [Lionel] Messi could be top scorer.”
Speaking in Amsterdam, Redknapp didn’t offer Dutch fans much encouragement despite some excellent results so far: “Mexico-Holland will be tough game; an interesting game. Mexico have done very well and I don’t see Holland winning the World Cup. France are going well but, again, I don’t see them winning it.”
The 666Bet ambassador was speaking to InterGame seated in front of a backdrop showing Wembley stadium, the scene of Redknapp’s latest triumph when in May he took his QPR team through a tough play-off final against Derby County and back to the Premier League.
“Derby must’ve been gutted [to lose]. They were better than us - we were lucky. Some days it’s better to be lucky than good,” he muses.
“I’m looking forward to the Premier League, that’ll be fantastic for us - but we need to strengthen the team, for sure. We’re nowhere near strong enough to survive, we know that.”
Does the man often touted as a potential England manager think the current coach will keep his job? “It’s been a disappointing tournament [for England] but we should stick with Roy Hodgson, for sure - but we’ve got to do better.
“I’m sure Roy would be the first to put his hands up and say it hasn’t gone well. It’s been a disaster for him and for the team. I keep seeing people talking about lots of positives. I don’t see the positives. We’ve some young players that have done ok, but not great.”
The English FA has said Hodgson will remain the national coach until at least 2016. If the FA come calling then, would Redknapp be interested? He laughs. “Not me, no.” Then who?
“I’d like to see Brendan Rodgers or Roberto Martinez [Liverpool and Everton coaches, respectively].
“The only English manager I’d be happy to see get the job would be [former national coach] Glenn Hoddle. I know people will think that he’s had his chance but I still think he’d get us playing the right way. He’d be excellent.”
