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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 28 JANUARY 2015 20 Sport SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Harry Redknapp explains QPR exit Harry Redknapp insists he did not resign as QPR manager because of the club's lack of signings in the January transfer window. THE 67-year-old is already planning a return to football after undergoing knee replacement surgery. Redknapp quit his post on Tues- day - hours after Rangers had failed to land a number of targets on dead- line day, including Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor and West Ham winger Matt Jarvis. QPR chairman Tony Fernandes ac- cepted the former Tottenham boss's resignation after a 5.30am phone call - a day after tweeting there would be "no more cheque book" as the trans- fer window closed on Monday. Redknapp told the Daily Mail: "I haven't got the hump. We haven't had a row. I knew some while ago that we were not going to be able to get much done in January. "We had one real target on the last day, Emmanuel Adebayor, because we are short up front. But he was too much money. I accept that. "There are no hard feelings on my part - I've not had a problem with Tony Fernandes in all my time there." Redknapp added: "I know what peo- ple think - that I've been sacked, or stormed off because we couldn't get the players in. "My son Jamie said that my tim- ing has to be the worst in the world. When I look back on my career, it cer- tainly isn't my strong point but I can't control what people think." Redknapp has been told he needs replacements for both his knees and the 67-year-old cited his health as a key factor in his decision to leave Lof- tus Road. "I was awake all night, thinking about it," Redknapp said. "I'm strug- gling so badly now. I can't walk, I can barely stand and watch. I'm in pain all the time. "I've been putting it off and putting it off but it has got to the stage where I cannot do the job." Redknapp continued: "I went to bed thinking I would sleep on it, but then I couldn't sleep a wink. "That's when I decided to call Tony. It must have been 5.30am. I just told him he needed someone who could properly coach and manage the team in the next 10 weeks. It's such an im- portant time. They need someone who can give it everything." Redknapp was unable to save QPR from relegation in 2013, but led the club back to the top flight at the first time of asking last term. QPR have been unable to carry that momentum into the current cam- paign, however, as they sit second bottom of the table with 15 games left. "I was totally honest with Tony. I told him he needed someone who could commit to every aspect of the job in the next 10 weeks, and that's not me," Redknapp said. "I still don't think I'm finished with football. When I've had the opera- tions, I'll be looking for work again, I know that. I can't imagine my life without it. But right now, I've got to make my health the priority." Redknapp earlier said in a QPR statement: "Sadly I need immediate surgery on my knee which is going to stop me from doing my job in the coming weeks. "It means I won't be able to be out on the training pitch every day, and if I can't give 100 per cent I feel it's bet- ter for someone else to take over the reins. "My relationship with Tony Fern- andes has been one of the highlights of my footballing career and I wish the club every success. I am confi- dent they will survive in the Premier League this year." The former West Ham and Port- smouth boss had continuously claimed he needed to add a host of January reinforcements to his squad in his bid to help QPR avoid the drop. Fernandes seemed to go against the grain with a tweet on Monday, how- ever, posting: "No more cheque book. We have good players. Bought all the players manager asked for in summer. Our players not mercenaries. Good guys." While Redknapp's imminent sur- gery will certainly put him out of commission for some time, there was clear strain behind the scenes be- tween manager and board at Loftus Road. Fernandes still wished Redknapp well in accepting the former West Ham manager's resignation. "I would like to take this opportu- nity to thank Harry for everything he has done for QPR during his time in charge," he said in QPR's statement. "We part on good terms and I would personally like to wish him all the best for the future." Head of football operations Les Fer- dinand has taken temporary charge, supported by Chris Ramsey, while QPR seek a new manager. Harry Redknapp Japan fire coach Javier Aguirre due to Spanish match-fixing implications THE 56-year-old Mexican was among 41 people named in a probe in December, with the an- ti-corruption prosecutors' office alleging that 965,000 euros was paid in cash by then Real Zarago- za coach Aguirre and nine of his squad to Levante players ahead of a La Liga game in the 2010-11 campaign. Zaragoza won 2-1 in Valencia on May 21, 2011, a result which saw them avoid relegation to Spain's second division. Aguirre has denied the claims and led Japan at last month's Asian Cup, where they were beaten in the quarter-finals by the United Arab Emirates. However, the Japanese Football Association has now decided to cancel Aguirre's contract, saying its imme- diate concern is protecting the interests of the national team. In statement on the asso- ciation's website, JFA president Kuniya Daini said: "The JFA has reached the conclusion that we will cancel Aguirre's contract, which Aguirre him- self has agreed to. "World Cup qualifying will begin in June and there is a possibility it (the investigation) could affect the national team, and we at the JFA want to avoid that risk. Also, to protect the honour of Aguirre, we think it best he focuses on the investiga- tion in order to prove his innocence. "It is unfortunate this has happened, but it has led the decision to cancel his contract." Aguirre added in a short statement: "I am grateful for the support of everyone in Japan and I wish the best of luck to the national team in the future." Javier Aguirre