• Premier League

Lampard stunned by Redknapp sacking

ESPN staff
June 17, 2012
Harry Redknapp insists Champions League qualification would not have helped © PA Photos
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Frank Lampard says he cannot believe his uncle, Harry Redknapp, has been sacked after Chelsea's European glory meant Tottenham missed out on a place in the Champions League.

Lampard and his Blues team-mates defeated Bayern Munich in last month's final, meaning they secured the fourth available spot in next season's competition ahead of Spurs.

Despite finishing fourth in the Premier League, Tottenham this week parted company with manager Redknapp, although he claimed achieving Champions League football would not have saved him.

"I feel really bad for Harry, especially as my biggest success in football turned out so unlucky for him," Lampard told The Sun.

"He deserved Champions League football. He and Spurs finished fourth. That's why I'm still shell-shocked by what's happened.

"I have some mates who are Spurs fans and they are desperately disappointed. They remember how they were rock-bottom when Harry came in. Then, all of a sudden, they're playing in the Champions League and competing at the top. He's done an amazing job."

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