Alan Hutton Critical of Harry Redknapp

Alan Hutton has spoken out about his time at Tottenham and his sense of feeling unwanted.  His criticism is contrary to how the general public regard Harry Redknapp who is lauded for his man-management skills and his ability to bring out the best in his players.

Alan Hutton

Alan Hutton is a player for whom Tottenham made a number of approaches before finally signing him from Glasgow Rrangers in January, 2008 for £9 million.  The player had twiced turned down the opportunity to move to London but Juande Ramos was eager to sign him and he went into the team immediately and after two games was picking up a winners medal at Wembley as Spurs defeated Chelsea in the Carling Cup Final.

Hutton is a strong running, attacking full-back who has won 21 caps for Scotland.  His time at Spurs has been interrupted by injury but the arrival of Vedran Corluka provided competition for the right back position and Hutton became the back-up.  In February, 2010 he went on loan to Sunderland but returned to Spurs in the summer, although it was widely thought that he would leave the club.  However, during the early part of the next season, he had a time in the team and scored two goals but a poor performance in the FA Cup defeat at Fulham saw him dropped from the team.  He started only one more game in the final months of the season and at the end of August he joined Aston Villa where he was re-united with his former Rangers manager, Alex McLeish.

Competition for Places
There was much competition for the right back spot in the Tottenham team. As well as Hutton and Corluka, Spurs had Pascal Chimbonda, Kyle Walker, Kyle Naughton, Chris Gunter and Younes Kaboul who could play there as well.

Hutton complained that Harry Redknapp didn't communicate with him, made him train with the youth players and of feeling unwanted.  He indicated that there were other players at the club who were in a similar position.  Hutton has been a player on the fringe of the club for some time and was obviously surplus to requirement.  This greatly affected his confidence and ability to play.

Hutton's opinion of Harry Redknapp is different from the widely held view of him as a manager who will encourage a player and put a caring arm around them in times of difficulty.  Redknapp is lauded for his man-management skills and is regarded as a manager who could lift and inspire the England team in a way that previous managers have been unable to do.  Fabio Capello is frequently criticised for not understanding the players and it is to Redknapp that many expect the Football Association to turn when the current manger's contract expires in next summer.