Harry Redknapp would be open to a sensational return to management if Leeds United came calling for his services, according to a report.
The 75-year-old's time as a top-level manager ended five and a half years ago, having taken charge of 13 games for Birmingham City before being sacked and calling it a day at the start of the 2017-18 season.
Redknapp has since served as an advisor to Yeovil Town and Bournemouth, holding his current position with the Cherries since February 2021 since ending his managerial career.
However, with Leeds struggling to appoint a permanent successor to Jesse Marsch, The Mirror claims that Redknapp would be willing to come out of retirement for one final Premier League gig.
The Whites relieved Marsch of his duties earlier this month after overseeing a seven-game winless run in the top flight, having served as manager for less than a year after replacing Marcelo Bielsa.
© Reuters
Michael Skubala has taken charge of Leeds' subsequent pair of meetings with Manchester United, firstly gleaning a point in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford before a 2-0 loss at Elland Road.
While the powers-that-be work to appoint a new permanent manager Leeds have since confirmed that Skubala will remain in the dugout for upcoming clashes with Everton and Southampton.
However, should the Whites suffer further setbacks in their pursuits of shortlisted targets, the report states that Redknapp would be happy to step in until the end of the campaign.
Leeds were initially thought to have been after West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan, but the Spaniard ended any speculation over his future by signing a new deal at The Hawthorns until 2027 a couple of weeks ago.
Ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is also said to have turned down an offer from the Whites, while Rayo Vallecano director David Cobeno has confirmed that Andoni Iraola rejected the chance to join the Premier League side.
© Reuters
"Andoni has a clause, like the majority of the employees of the club, in terms of footballers and coaches. From that point, we refer [teams] to the clause," Cobeno told Radio Marca.
"From there, the decision of Andoni was clear, and he has given us his word until the end of the season. Sometimes a person's word weighs more than money, and Andoni has shown as much."
Furthermore, Feyenoord manager Arne Slot supposedly rebuffed Leeds' advances as well, potentially forcing Leeds into a position where they will have to consider a short-term appointment.
Redknapp's only piece of silverware as a manager came with Portsmouth in the 2007-08 FA Cup, and he led Tottenham Hotspur into the quarter-finals of the 2010-11 Champions League.
As Portsmouth manager, Redknapp famously pulled off a miraculous escape from relegation in the 2005-06 season, where his side lost just two of their last 10 games to secure survival.
