Harry Redknapp, former football manager, made a surprising revelation on BBC’s The One Show on Thursday evening.
The 76-year-old admitted to taking his son Jamie out of school for secret football training sessions without his wife Sandra’s knowledge.
The father-son duo appeared on the programme to promote their new book, ‘A Family Obsession’, which delves into their lives in football.
The confession came during a conversation about Jamie’s childhood experiences growing up with a football-obsessed father, shedding light on the unconventional parenting approach that shaped the younger Redknapp’s career.
Jamie Redknapp, now a Sky Sports pundit, shared details of his father’s unconventional approach to education.
He revealed, “He used to always find that detour instead of going to school, taking me to training with him, but it didn’t do me any harm.”
Harry Redknapp admitted he used to take son Jamie out of school to play football
The One Show
Harry jokingly added, “I mean, Jamie ended up not being able to read or write,” which Jamie quickly dismissed as untrue.
The former Tottenham manager elaborated, “We used to turn up the school gates.
“He said, ‘Oh, Dad, I’ve got rubbish lessons today, can I come training with you?’ (I would say) ‘Yeah alright’, coming home at four o’clock so his mum thought he’d been to school.”
JUST IN:Truth revealed after Kyle Walker’s wife fuels rumours she’s moved on from Man City star with new man
Jamie added, “And put the school uniform back on!”
The One Show presenter Alex Jones questioned Harry about Sandra’s reaction to this parenting approach.
“I was gonna say I mean your wife Sandra could not been happy with that, was she?” Alex asked.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu suffers another blow just days after Hong Kong Open withdrawal
Harry admitted, “Well she didn’t really know too much. To be honest at 11, you were training at Tottenham at a very early age, and so it was always football was where he was going to end up.”
Jamie, realising the implications of their revelation, added, “But the worst thing mum’s watching this – we’re giving it away!”
Despite the unconventional approach to his education, Jamie Redknapp went on to have a successful football career.
Harry Redknapp coached his son at Southampton
PA
He played for several top clubs, including AFC Bournemouth, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Southampton throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Jamie’s performances, particularly during his time at Liverpool, earned him 17 caps for England.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Tennis fans make feelings clear on Emma Raducanu after she withdraws from another tournament
- Mike Tyson’s agent provides injury update on boxing legend amid fears Jake Paul fight won’t go ahead
- Tyson Fury explains stance on having more children after wife Paris suffered heartbreaking miscarriage
Harry Redknapp might have landed himself in hot water with wife Sandra
The One Show
He represented his country at the prestigious Euro 96 tournament.
Harry Redknapp’s focus on football training over traditional schooling seemed to pay off.
Jamie’s achievements on the pitch suggest that the missed school days did not hinder his professional development in the sport.