Redknapp cools hand battle between Allen and Wenger
Harry Redknapp has moved quickly to cool any tension from Sunday’s game between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, after White Hart Lane coach Clive Allen claimed that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to shake his hand.
Wenger claims he did not see Allen holding out his hand but the Tottenham coach described Wenger as “two-bob” after believing he purposely refused to shake hands. Harry Redknapp though admits he was totally happy with Arsene Wenger’s reaction after the 2-1 defeat and feels that by shaking his hand the 61 year old manager had simply done enough.
“Arsene shook hands with me and I’m pleased with that. I think Clive went to shake hands and he missed him. He didn’t see him. But if he’s going to shake hands, either do it and mean it or don’t do it at all. If he doesn’t want to, he shouldn’t.”
The Tottenham manager added:
“Okay, Clive wasn’t happy but Arsene shook my hand and, for me, that was it.”
However Allen feels the oppposite and also claims he did not swear at the Arsenal manager.
“He refused to shake my hand, he says he didn’t see me or hear me, but he’s two bob he is, two bob. No, I didn’t call him any dirty word.”
The Arsenal manager though defended his actions stating that there is no rule that suggests you have to shake hands with every member of the coaching staff.
“I shook the hand of the manager and the assistant manager, how many hands do I have to shake? Is there a prescription? No words were exchanged and if the story of the game is Clive Allen, you must ask him. He wanted to make himself the story, yes.”
Although the small exchange of words will certainly not change the result, it should add flavour to the next meeting between the North London sides when they face each other on the 25th February next year.
