‘I managed Tottenham for four years and Joe Lewis once tried to pick my starting XI’

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp revealed that former majority owner Joe Lewis once attempted to influence his team selection ahead of a fixture against Manchester United. Speaking on OLBG's The Jeff Stelling Show, Redknapp recalled being contacted by chairman Daniel Levy and subsequently Lewis, who strongly objected to starting striker Robbie Keane and preferred an alternative attacking lineup featuring Rafael van der Vaart.

Redknapp refused to alter his selection and started Keane anyway, noting that Lewis threatened not to watch the game on television. Redknapp admitted he felt his job was at risk following the incident. He was eventually dismissed at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season after Spurs finished fourth and missed out on Champions League qualification.