Wednesday 19 April 2017 00:13, UK
Harry Redknapp does not have a “magic wand” but insists he did not hesitate in accepting the challenge of leading Birmingham to safety in the Sky Bet Championship.
The 70-year-old took over from Gianfranco Zola - who resigned on Easter Monday night - on a deal until the end of the current season, with the Blues three points outside of the relegation places after a run of just two wins in 22 league games under the Italian.
Redknapp's tenure at the club gets underway on Sunday with a trip to local rivals Aston Villa before hosting Huddersfield Town and finishing off the season away at Bristol City and he knows he faces a tough task but says he did not hesitate when offered the role.
"I'm not just saying it but anyone who understands the traditions of football - Birmingham is a proper football club and when the opportunity came and I was asked to do it, I didn't hesitate," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It is a tough assignment, I am not kidding myself. If you look at the fixtures, they are three very difficult games. It's a tough place to go on Sunday but what a great game to start with at Aston Villa away, it would be great if we could go there and pick up a positive result. I'm looking forward to it.
"It's not easy; no one has got a magic wand. Sam [Allardyce] goes in at Crystal Palace and they can't win games in the first five or six games but now he has got them going and they are playing ever so well. It's all about players and getting the best out of them and getting them to understand what you are looking for. It takes time.
"I've not got a magic wand and can go in there and say 'Ok lads, you're going to go from a team that has won two games out of 22 to win every week and play fantastic football like Barcelona or someone', it's not going to be easy.
"But I think there is enough character there and it is a great club with a great support and they can push us over the finishing line and we can get the job done. It's a big challenge and I love a challenge, it's football, it is where I want to be."
Redknapp admitted he had sympathy for Zola, who was appointed at St Andrew's in December after the controversial sacking of Gary Rowett, but has backed the club's owners to take the Blues forward in the coming years.
"I'm looking forward to meeting the players. It is a shame it didn't work out for Franco, he is a great guy and sometimes these things happen. Hopefully we can go and get a result or two that we need and keep us in the division and we will all be happy.
"It's down to the players; we can only encourage them and try to get the best out of them. They've got to go out and perform; starting on Sunday at Villa, they've got to go there, stand up and try to get a result for the club.
"I know the owners have come in for some stick but I met the people and they were very good people with me. Maybe they've not been advised particularly well up until now but hopefully things will improve and they'll take the club forward and I'm sure they will in the next few years.
"And next year I think the club will build and go forward and will be a club that I think will be challenging for top six, but first and foremost we need to make sure we stay up this year."
