Harry Redknapp managed Tottenham Hotspur between 2008 and 2012.
Harry Redknapp took charge of Tottenham Hotspur in October 2008, succeeding Juande Ramos, and it was under his guidance the club established themselves as part of the Premier League’s Top Six.
Redknapp was a popular character at White Hart Lane, and in his first full season in charge they finished fourth, ensuing their highest ever Premier League finish while qualifying for the Champions League.
The North London club went on to achieve another fourth-place finish under Redknapp’s tenure in the 2011-2 season, however Chelsea’s Champions League triumph denied them a place in Europe’s elite competition.
Numerous changes were made during the former West Ham United manager’s time in North London, and here we look back on his first five signings in charge and where they are today.
Jermain Defoe: Signed from Portsmouth
Jermain Defoe returned to Tottenham having left the club to join Portsmouth in 2008, and he linked up again with Redknapp who originally brought him to Fratton Park while in charge of Pompey.
Defoe was somewhat of a cult hero at Tottenham, and his second tenure at the club was better than his first – as he managed to net 47 Premier League goals in 135 appearances.
Now 35, Defoe is incredibly still active in the top-flight with Bournemouth, and in his last outing for the Cherries he managed to strike a late equaliser as the south coast outfit drew 2-2 with Watford at Vicarage Road.
Wilson Palacios: Signed from Wigan Atheltic
Wilson Palacios became Redknapp’s first eight-figure signing for Tottenham, as he joined from Wigan for around £12 million midway through the January transfer window.
The Honduras international became a regular for Spurs during his first season-and-a-half at the club, but following a lack of game-time in the 2010-11 campaign he was later sold to Stoke City.
Palacios, 33, is still active as he plays for CD Olimpia back in his home country.
Carlo Cudicini: Signed from Chelsea
Carlo Cudicini became Redknapp’s third Tottenham signing during the 2008-09 January transfer window, though he arrived on a free transfer from Chelsea and was brought in to cover for number one Heurelho Gomes.
The 44-year-old Italian made limited appearances for Spurs, and later left the club to join MLS side LA Galaxy before announcing his retirement from football in 2014.
Pascal Chimbonda: Signed from Sunderland
Pascal Chimbonda joined Spurs on the same day as Cudicini, and it was a signing which shocked many, as he only left the club for Sunderland six months earlier following a previous two-year spell in North London.
The somewhat controversial fullback spent just six months at Tottenham in his second spell before moving on to Blackburn Rovers. He had remarkably made three transfers in the space of just 12 months.
After spells in England’s lower leagues and in the French second division, Chimbonda, 33, is still active as he plies his trade with non-league side Washington FC.
Robbie Keane: Signed from Liverpool
Following in the footsteps of Jermaine Defoe, Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane also returned to Tottenham following a disappointing spell at Liverpool.
The much-travelled striker spent six years at Spurs between 2002 and 2008, scoring 80 Premier League goals, but his second spell wasn’t as prolific – he managed just 11 goals in 34 games.
The former Coventry City, Inter Milan, Celtic and LA Galaxy man is still around, plying his trade in India in a player-manager role he holds at the recently formed Atletico de Kolkata (ATK).
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