That didn’t take long.
Less than 24 hours since Gianfranco Zola’s four-month spell as Birmingham City manager came to an end, the club has announced the Italian’s successor.
And it’s a bloody triffic appointment.
OFFICIAL: The Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Harry Redknapp as our new manager. #BCFC pic.twitter.com/kB1oirZz4s
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) April 18, 2017
Harry Redknapp was unveiled as the new Blues boss on Tuesday morning, with the club turning to the 70-year-old’s wealth of experience as they aim to improve on the lacklustre Championship campaign which fans endured this season.
Redknapp has been without a job since his bizarre two-game spell as Jordan manager last year, before which he was in charge of QPR for three seasons.
“The club is delighted to announce that Harry Redknapp is Blues new manager,” a Birmingham statement read.
“The vastly experienced Redknapp has agreed to replace Gianfranco Zola, who resigned on Monday.
“Redknapp has enjoyed notable success as a manager at AFC Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur and QPR.
“Amongst his many achievements, he successfully guided Portsmouth and QPR to promotions to the Premier League and also secured an FA Cup victory with Portsmouth.
“He won a Premier League Manager of the Year award with Tottenham Hotspur and also qualified them for the Champions League.
“We believe that under the leadership of Redknapp, Blues will enhance their strength and create achievement.”
And the moment Redknapp’s name appeared across Sky Sports’ breaking news banner, Birmingham fans rushed to Twitter to make the exact same joke about his expected first signing.
Redknapp worked with Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar at Portsmouth, Spurs and QPR so why not add Birmingham to the list?
Harry Redknapp the new manager of Birmingham City. Niko Kranjcar already spotted at Hilton Park services……..
— Dave Seddon (@Sedds_lep) April 18, 2017
Hahahahahahaha. Can't wait for him to sign Kranjcar and put in a bid for Crouchy, triffic player. https://t.co/1gHXeNqpaY
— Jack Barnes (@barnesffc) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/natashas1993/status/854246660209348608
Birmingham City are also delighted to announce the signing of Niko Kranjcar. https://t.co/DEdt8qJqY7
— Daniel Fowler (@DFSports97) April 18, 2017
"Niko? Niko Kranjčar? It's Harry Redknapp. We're putting the band back together." pic.twitter.com/3kzCdYqR7J
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/sonikkicks/status/854247001541795841
Birmingham fans already getting 'Kranjcar' on the back of next year's shirts haha
— Mr Holmes (@Holmesy865) April 18, 2017
Haha….Niko Kranjcar will be his first signing https://t.co/gYP2aVS2Nd
— O.C.O (@kingonyix) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/SidArmstrong96/status/854247206978768897
https://twitter.com/MarcBazeleyNWEM/status/854247331885199361
I'll give it 15 minutes before Birmingham City announce the signing of Niko Kranjcar
— Tom Carnduff (@TomCarnduff) April 18, 2017
Niko Kranjčar's phone starts ringing in 5, 4, 3… https://t.co/ne6IMZPx4g
— Anita (@arsenaloFka) April 18, 2017
SPOTTED: Niko Kranjcar coming out of Birmingham New Street #BCFC
— Will Brazier (@willbrazier) April 18, 2017
BREAKING: Niko Kranjčar to Birmingham confirmed after Harry Redknapp appointed manager. pic.twitter.com/EsTTg01lIY
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) April 18, 2017
