Harry Redknapp sacking questioned by ex-Birmingham director Panos Pavlakis
Tuesday 26 September 2017 16:44, UK
Former Birmingham director Panos Pavlakis believes there "was probably something more" behind the Blues' sacking of Harry Redknapp.
Pavlakis had been brought in by previous owner Carson Yeung in January 2014 but left St Andrew's in May 2017, after coming in for some fierce criticism for his role in the replacement of Gary Rowett with Gianfranco Zola as manager.
Zola's reign included just two wins in 24 games and left Birmingham in a Sky Bet Championship relegation battle, which they survived under Redknapp's guidance.
Despite being allowed to make heavy investment in the squad during the summer transfer window, bringing in 14 new players, Redknapp was dismissed after six successive defeats.
"It was quite a surprise, because it was only three months after he had those great three last games, he was a hero, together with his backroom staff, they kept us up," Pavlakis said.
"And you saw us at the time, you saw the euphoria, where fans were saying 'come on get Harry, get Harry', it looks like there have been many complications, many confusions, and at the end that led to some misunderstanding.
"If the sacking was just before the transfer deadline, if they did it before, I would say OK - the owners, the board saw something.
"But to give him all that money, and for him to sign all these players, and then after two weeks later, say OK - you are not good enough for us, that was a surprise.
"As a man who knows football, there was probably something more. Disagreements with players… it looks like something was wrong there... Harry at the end there, paid the price."
Pavlakis now believes Redknapp's successor needs to be an experienced manager.
"The squad now has players from three different managers, so it needs a strong manager," he said.
"It's a very big challenge. (Gary) Rowett had a wage cap of £6,000 - the players that are being signed now, I don't think they're on £6,000.
"It needs a man with experience, but also some young new ideas too."
