I felt pain in my chest...I struggled to breathe - Harry Redknapp on scare that led to heart op
Posted Friday, November 04, 2011 by The Sun
Family man ... with wife Sandra and son Jamie
And the Cockney favourite is tipped to be the next England manager when Italian Fabio Capello steps down next year.
He said he did not want to "make a fuss" about his scare.
Harry added: "I have only been in hospital — and there are people in there dying and suffering far worse than me.
"I've been through a lot worse myself anyway when I was pulled from the wreckage of a car crash in 1990."
Five others including Redknapp's close friend, AFC Bournemouth's managing director Brian Tiler, were killed in the smash, which happened during the World Cup in Italy.
Redknapp added: "I guess when you get into your 60s things like this heart thing will happen. Other football managers have had heart problems and it is a stressful job. But age is also a big factor.
"Graeme Souness had a heart bypass op. Doesn't Alex Ferguson take pills for his heart? And Sam Allardyce at West Ham has had problems.
"It's just one of those things. I don't want to make a meal of it.
"People have sent some lovely get well messages, though, which really cheers you up."
Eastender Redknapp, married to Sandra and father to ex-Liverpool and Spurs footballer Jamie and model Mark, has been swallowing pills for his artery condition for two years.
He will now up his daily dose of blood-thinning aspirin and will keep his heart ticking over by walking his cherished pet bulldogs on Dorset's beaches.
Harry leads a punishing schedule, often starting out at 5.30am for a hellish commute to Spurs' training ground at Chigwell, Essex.
He can be on the road for up to eight hours a day. But he insists he looks after himself properly.
Harry said: "It's not like I live a rock 'n roll lifestyle. I watch lots of football but I don't go out much. On away trips I'm usually the first to go to bed.
"I like the odd glass of red wine with a meal out but other than that it's football and my family.
"I love spending time with the grandkids. That is a great stress reliever I can tell you.
"I take losing badly of course because of my will to succeed and professionalism.
"But I find it quite easy to switch off at night so I don't think people have to worry too much about me."
Former West Ham player Redknapp, speaking before last night's Spurs game, revealed how his doctor has told him to put his feet up "for the next couple of weeks".
He said: "That's handy because after this weekend we have a break for international matches coming up anyway.
"After that I'll be back in at Tottenham and back on the training pitch.
"There's plenty of football on the telly, too. I'll be watching my Spurs team play tonight and then the Fulham match later on.
"Sandra is already fed up with me being back at home."
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