Harry Redknapp revealed today he had received good luck messages from David Beckham and Daniel Levy as he began what he believes to be his toughest job.
Five months after he was sacked by Tottenham despite guiding the club to fourth in the Premier League last season, Redknapp has accepted the task of keeping Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League, replacing the sacked Mark Hughes.
To take charge of a side with four points from 13 games, Redknapp said he had rejected the chance to become the national coach of Ukraine, a post he claimed he had been on the brink of taking.
That would have seen Redknapp pit his wits against England in the World Cup qualifying campaign but the 65-year-old preferred to remain in the Premier League.
"I had a text from David Beckham last night wishing me all the best and (Tottenham chairman) Daniel Levy rang me to wish me all the best," Redknapp said.
"I was very close to going to Ukraine but I decided the Premier League was really where I wanted to be. The people who own this club are fantastic, and that's not something I have to say.
"They are nice people who deserve success and they put so much into the club during the summer.
"They found it hard to let Mark Hughes go because they're not ruthless people. They deserve success here and I would love to be the person to bring it to them.
"This is a much tougher job than it was to keep Portsmouth or Tottenham in the Premier League but I am confident we can pull it off."
Redknapp was cagey about his plans for the January transfer window, pointing out the investment that has already been made in the squad with no less than 12 players signed during the summer. However, it is hard to imagine the club not adding to their squad early next year, especially if results do not improve dramatically.
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Adel Taarabt left Tottenham for Rangers when Redknapp was at White Hart Lane but the new manager said of the Moroccan: "He is a match-winner. If we can get the best out of him then he has the ability to become a top player."
