Harry Redknapp in Jordan World Cup qualifier deal

Derby County's newly appointed managerial advisor Harry Redknapp is to double up as coach of Jordan for two World Cup qualifiers next month, British media reported on Wednesday.

The Sun newspaper revealed the move which will see Redknapp guide Jordan through ties against Bangladesh and Australia on the same day as he starts his new job at the Championship club.

The former Tottenham boss will have to fly out immediately after his first Derby game against local Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest on Saturday and return for the game at Cardiff on April 2, the article said.

Redknapp, 69, told the paper: "It's going to be a tough couple of weeks, that's for sure.

"I'm friends with Prince Ali (Prince Ali bin al Hussein, Jordanian football supremo) and wanted him to take over from Sepp Blatter. He asked me if I'd manage the team for a couple of matches and I agreed.

"I'll go to the Forest game and then go straight to London and fly to Jordan.

"It's a busy time but I've missed the buzz of being involved in football."

Redknapp missed out on the England manager's job when he was widely regarded as the favourite to succeed Fabio Capello, but instead saw Roy Hodgson appointed ahead of Euro 2012.

Redknapp's last role in club management was at QPR, but he left Loftus Road in February 2015 citing his need to have knee replacement surgery.

The former West Ham and Southampton boss won the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 and guided Tottenham into the Champions League for the first time in 2010.

Derby have won just three matches in the second-tier Championship this year and are fifth in the table, seven points adrift of an automatic promotion place.

Redknapp said he was excited to be working with Derby manager Darren Wassall, telling the club's website: "I am delighted to be able to help out and am looking forward to working with Darren and his team."

Derby chief executive Sam Rush added: "As we move into the closing stages of the season, we feel that Harry's know-how will be valuable to us. He brings a high level of awareness and understanding of the Championship promotion race."
Source: AFP