A buoyant Harry Redknapp was pleased with West Ham United’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph last week.
The former manager and player could not hide his delight after his old Club lifted a first major trophy since 1980, with celebrations following in the Czech Republic and East London too after 43 years of hurt was ended.
A thunderous penalty from Saïd Benrahma and a late winner from Jarrod Bowen saw the Irons secure a memorable triumph in Prague thanks to a 2-1 win over Serie A side Fiorentina, and Redknapp, as expected, was delighted.
“It was a fantastic night for West Ham,” Redknapp enthused to Sky Sports, last week. “The joy, the delight, at the end of the game, with all the fans and the players celebrating at the end, it was brilliant.
“It was a great night and I really enjoyed it."
Harry Redknapp, like many, has a long relationship with West Ham United. His began in 1962 when he joined the Club as a 15-year-old schoolboy.
After more than 170 appearances as a player, in the summer of 1992, he returned to east London and took on the role of former team-mate Billy Bonds’ assistant at West Ham.
Two years later, Redknapp took over from Bonds in August 1994, beginning a seven-year reign at the Boleyn Ground.
Helped by a superb group of Academy products that included nephew Frank Lampard Jr, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick, the new manager moulded an exciting squad that mixed youth and experience, including veterans like Christian Dailly and Stuart Pearce.
The Hammers would win the UEFA Intertoto Cup under his stewardship and Redknapp was pleased the Club has secured European football for a third straight year, with another European triumph this term.
He added: “Next year, they have gone into a better European competition so that will be great for them. And West Ham is a big Club.
“People forget that they get 60,000 people every week [at London Stadium]. It is sold out every week. It is a Club with great tradition, a fantastic football Club, and they can be as big as they want to be.”