H Backs Psycho

Harry Redknapp reckons Stuart Pearce should take up his reins at Upton Park.

He has also reiterated, amongst a growing clamour on the south coast for him to take over at Southampton, that he is undecided about his future.

Says H:

"Pearcey would make a good manager, of course he would.

"He knows that there are some good players at West Ham and it wouldn't be a problem for him."

He rejects the assertion that, having played with the players, he would find it difficult to manage them, adding:

"If anyone wanted to argue with them, he'd have them up against the wall - and everyone likes and respects him anyway.

"He is so special; he'd have his own players in mind, the ones he'd want, the ones he wouldn't want - he's his own man.

"But that would be up to Stuart, but West Ham could do a lot worse than getting him, I can tell you.

"I will speak to him, and I have so much respect for him."

Harry also thinks the tradition of West Ham's academy producing managers of the future will soon be rejuvenated, and he adds:

"Iain Dowie is an excellent coach, but there is a whole group of them: I hope Tony Cottee bounces back and I still think Alvin Martin has something to offer, so I think there is a group of them that could do very well."

For the time being, though, he is content to relax at his Poole home.

He says:

"I'm looking forward to spending more time with Sandra - that is the most important thing to me.

"I love my wife; I'm not one of those people who doesn't enjoy being with their wife.

"I'll just wait and see what happens next but after dinner speaking and all that nonsense? Not really.

"I may take another job, I may sit back in the garden and go on the golf course to get my handicap down from 19 to 18.

"I'm not 100% sure what will happen - we'll have to wait and see."