Redknapp delivers verdict on Leeds promotion hopes, names title favourites
By Harry Sykes
Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp has claimed that Leeds will be a strong force in the Championship next season, although he thinks that it will be hugely competitive.
Talking in The Star, Redknapp claimed that Aston Villa were the rightful favourites for the title, but wouldn’t have things all their own way.
“I see Villa are favourites for the league but this year every team thinks they should be in the Premier League don’t they?” he said.
“Middlesbrough will spend big money and will be right up there, maybe Sunderland, Leeds will be strong, Fulham again, Derby and Wolves will have a go.
“Every team is going to fancy their chances. Although it would be nice for rivalry it’s not just going to be about Villa and us.”
Redknapp took the manager’s job at Birmingham towards the end of last season and helped the Midlands club avoid relegation.
Aston Villa had a disappointing season, finishing 13th in a campaign where they had hoped for promotion.
By contrast, Leeds under Garry Monk had a stuttering start but powered through to the top six, where they stayed until the end of the season, when they were pipped to a play-off place by Fulham.
Thomas Christiansen has had a busy summer, making six signings already, and Leeds fans will be hoping that the team plays as Redknapp thinks they could, and mounts another strong challenge for the Premier League.
In other Leeds news, this striker was spotted in an airport before jetting into sign with leeds.