Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is back in football after accepting a voluntary advisory role at Bournemouth.
The 65-year-old has been out of the game since his surprise sacking by Tottenham on June 14 despite leading them to a fourth-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League last season.
But Redknapp has now agreed to return to Bournemouth – where he began his career in management in 1983 – to offer advice and expertise to the League One club.
“I met Harry for a chat this morning and he offered to come in on a voluntary basis,” Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell told the club's official website.
“He still has a passion for the club and for football, and he’s got too much to offer for us to let him slip through our fingers.
“It’s been in my mind for quite some time to get him involved, and the timing seems to be perfect for us to tap into his knowledge.”
Mitchell added that Redknapp’s authority would not supersede manager Paul Groves and his assistant Shaun Brooks.
“Paul and Shaun will still have the final say on all football matters, there’s no doubt about that,” Mitchell added.
“They’re very astute people and they’re not above listening to anyone, and I’m sure they can learn from him.
“They have both worked with him before and I think there’s only person who would be able to get on that coach tomorrow without Paul and Shaun rejecting the idea, and that one person is Harry.”
Redknapp enjoyed a successful time at Bournemouth, helping them escape relegation from the Football League in 1984, the same season he masterminded their shock FA Cup victory over holders Manchester United.
The Cherries were crowned Third Division champions in the 1986/87 season but were relegated several years later and Redknapp quit the club in the summer of 1992, joining West Ham as assistant manager.
Redknapp will travel with the squad to tomorrow's league clash with Yeovil at Huish Park.
