Harry Redknapp has revealed he did not see a manager in Michael Carrick when the current Manchester United boss played under him at West Ham. Carrick came through the ranks at the Hammers, making his debut in 1999, with Redknapp in charge until he left the club in 2001.
Redknapp's early doubts
The 79-year-old, who tried to sign Carrick during his time at Portsmouth, is a big fan of the midfielder as a person but did not think his personality would suit management. Carrick left West Ham for Tottenham in 2004.
'I can't say I always saw a manager in him,' Redknapp told The Sun. 'Michael's always been a lovely guy from a lovely family, a really intelligent footballer who knew the game, read it, controlled matches. But he's always been a quiet lad, too, laid-back. It's what he is.'
Calm under pressure
Carrick is under pressure at Old Trafford after a disappointing start to the season, but Redknapp hopes the calm character is not axed by the Red Devils board. He contrasted Carrick's touchline behaviour with that of Roberto De Zerbi, who was seen kissing the ball after a Tottenham equaliser.
'When United scored against Tottenham the other day, he wasn't running up and down the touchline — the complete opposite to Roberto De Zerbi, kissing the ball and all that when they equalised,' Redknapp said.
Support from a former boss
'Results haven't been great but I hope he turns it around and keeps the job because I love him,' he added. 'I know that some of the fans want the United manager to be a bigger character. I get that.'
Redknapp compared Carrick to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, noting that big personalities like Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have also failed in the role. 'Michael is a bit more like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick. But they've had Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho as well, big personalities, and it's just not worked.'
Carrick's response
The Manchester United boss was asked in a recent press conference if he feels he should show more emotion and seemed confused by the idea. 'I need to show more emotion?' Carrick asked. 'In what way? What do you want me to show?'
He added: 'We don't like losing football matches, so it's not that I don't feel the emotion of losing football matches. But it doesn't affect how I think on what I need to do next.'
