Harry Redknapp : my autobiography

Harry Redknapp is without doubt one of the most charismatic, well-respected managers in the Premiership - admired by home and rival supporters alike.

Time and again, he has worked wonders with limited budgets, motivating his players to heights no one thought possible.

In a footballing era increasingly dominated by foreign coaches and overpaid prima donnas, he is perhaps one of a dying breed - an old-fashioned Englishman for whom the beautiful game is about passion and commitment.

Having enjoyed a long and successful playing career at West Ham, playing alongside such footballing greats as Bobby Moore and Frank Lampard Snr, it is Redknapp's managerial career that has truly made his name.

Appointed manager of Bournemouth - an emergency appointment by a club convinced they were heading for the Fourth Division - Redknapp turned around their fortunes and quickly became one of the most popular managers in their history.

From there, he went to his beloved West Ham, transforming the club from relegation fodder to contenders for a European place, and helping to nurture such young British talent as Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick. Next came Portsmouth, where he dramatically led them to the First Division title in his first full season in charge.

After a highly controversial switch to local rivals Southampton, he returned to lead them to a seemingly impossible last-gasp escape from Premiership relegation.

It is feats such as this that have earned him the well-deserved moniker 'Harry Houdini' - a nickname he continues to live up to.

His has been a rollercoaster career - full of colour, incident and controversy.

Wherever he has been, Redknapp has worked his magic.

Straight-talking and candid, this is the remarkable story of a remarkable manager.