Jamie Redknapp has issued an apology to Lord Sugar after The Apprentice star sensationally threatened to sue over comments made by the Sky Sports pundit about his tenure as Spurs chairman.
Redknapp, once an England international, claimed during coverage of his former club Tottenham’s trip to West Ham last month that Sugar, who spent 10 years in north London ending in 2001, left the club ‘in a mess’.
His comments sparked an incredibly angry response from Sugar, who threatened to sue both the pundit and Sky Sports in a series of posts on X, as well as dubbing Redknapp ‘a double barrel idiot’.
‘He talks a load of rubbish,’ Sugar’s response added, ‘He said when Daniel Levy took over Spurs Alan Sugar left the club in a right mess. He and SKY will be hearing from my lawyers Monday @redknapp’
Now, almost a month after his claims about about Sugar, Redknapp has issued a formal apology. Speaking on Friday Night Football live on Sky Sports tonight, the 52-year-old ‘set the record straight’.
‘I mentioned that Lord Sugar had the left the club in a mess,’ Redknapp said during coverage of Bournemouth’s clash with Fulham.
Jamie Redknapp has issued a grovelling response to Lord Sugar after accusing him of leaving Spurs ‘in a mess’
The Apprentice star, who spent 10 years as Spurs chairman, threatened to sue over the comments
He labelled the former England international an ‘idiot’ for the claims he made on Sky Sports
‘I just want to make clear that he stabilised the club and invested heavily during his time as chairman.
‘When he took over in 1991, Spurs were close to bankruptcy and by the time he stepped away the financial position had been turned around.
‘He also put significant money into the team and facilities. I apologise to Lord Sugar and his family for any misunderstanding and for any distress caused, and am happy to set the record straight.’
Having seen the apology, The Apprentice star Sugar took to X once again.
He posted: ‘On 13th September Jamie Redknapp stated on Sky Sports that I left Tottenham ‘in a mess’ when I sold the club to Daniel Levy.
‘Tonight during Sky’s Bournemouth v Fulham coverage, Redknapp has made a full apology and retracted this false allegation. Also, by way of a further apology, a donation of £10,000 has been made to Great Ormond Street Hospital.’
Redknapp’s initial comments were made just days after Levy’s shocking exit from Spurs in early September after 24 years at the club.
Reflecting on the former Tottenham chairman’s time in north London, he said: ‘I think from Spurs’ point of view, it’s a great time to be optimistic. You mentioned Vinai (Venkatesham), I think he’s going to be a really good CEO of the club, he’s got a great way about him – make the club a bit more friendly to everybody.
Sugar revealed that a payment of £10,000 has been made to Great Ormond Street Hospital in the wake of Redknapp’s apology
‘I think that’s maybe been a problem, there’s been a disconnect with the fans when Daniel Levy was there.
‘One thing I will say, and I’ve been critical with Daniel – there were a few things I didn’t like with how he operated – but in terms of the training ground, the facilities, the infrastructure, one of the best stadiums in world – he’s done a great job.
‘The one thing I’ll say is the wages at the club – everyone applauds that – but I think what that’s done is not get the best players for the club. So that’s always been a bit difficult.
‘But whoever takes over – you think back to how Alan Sugar left the club, it was a complete mess – Daniel Levy has left this club in a really good way and Vinai will know that and the people in charge now can look at this club and really believe that this can go forward.
‘And maybe, no disrespect, but a bit more likeable. I think that’s what they’ll be looking to do and get that relationship with the fans, with the club and make everybody proud to be Tottenham fans. It’s a huge fanbase – so many opportunities for the club to move forwards now.’
