Harry Redknapp has demolished the claim by Kris Commons that Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth job was simply a case of money buying success.
The former Celtic midfielder was dismissive of Howe’s record despite taking Bournemouth through the divisions to enjoy five seasons mixing it with the elite in the EPL.
That run came to an end in August when they were relegated in the middle of Lockdown with Howe choosing that moment to step away.
Most EPL clubs would be happy to provide him with a route back into management but Celtic seem to have stolen a march by putting a proposal on the table to take him far from the comforts of the south coast.
It seems that just the small print needs to be finalised with Redknapp painting an inviting picture of Howe’s exploits at Bournemouth as he told The Sun:
The job he did down here was incredible. If you’d said to me years ago, when I was manager, that the club would get into the Premier League I’d have thought that you were off your head.
People have to remember where Bournemouth started from. I took them into the Championship for the first time. It was the only time in over 100 years they had ever been that high. They had never been beyond Division Three or Four.
I was there when they had gates of 2,000. But Eddie took that club into the Premier League. Unless you know Bournemouth, people don’t recognise what an achievement that was.
To take the club through the divisions and into the Premier League, and keep them there for five years by playing the football they did, was just fantastic.
I took my grandkids there every week and the football they played was amazing. I saw them beat Liverpool here when Jurgen Klopp came in and they were flying. They were 2-2 with Man City and with a minute to go they ran through and hit the post. Then City broke up the pitch and scored to nick it
That’s how it was under Eddie. No one came here and got an easy game. His sides stood toe to toe with any of the top teams, so there’s no doubt Celtic would be getting a really top manager.
As Howe waits to make up his mind on the Celtic offer John Kennedy remains in Interim charge, preparing the squad for Saturday’s match at home to Livingston.