Harry Redknapp has explained why going to Munich to watch the 2012 Champions League final was one of the worst decisions of his life.
Redknapp, who was in charge of Tottenham at the time, decided to visit Germany for the European showpiece, which pitted Chelsea against Bayern Munich in the latter’s own home stadium.
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May 19, 2012 was a famous night in Chelsea’s history
It’s a familiar story which does not need repeating, but we’ll do it anyway.
Chelsea, who were stretched thin due to injuries and suspensions, fell behind at the Allianz Arena with just seven minutes left, before Didier Drogba – putting in one of his all-time great performances – headed the Blues level two minutes from time.
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The match went to extra-time – during which Petr Cech saved Arjen Robben’s spot-kick – and then penalties.
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Cech put in a stunning performance on that historic night in Munich
Chelsea, of course, triumphed, despite Juan Mata missing their first attempt. Drogba scored the winning penalty, further writing his name in Chelsea folklore.
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Drogba won the European Cup with his last kick for Chelsea – before returning in 2014
The victory in Munich meant Chelsea became the first London team to win the European Cup, and it also secured the Blues’ qualification for the following season’s tournament as they could only finish sixth in the Premier League.
As only four teams from one country could be in the Champions League at the time – a rule which has since been altered – Chelsea’s qualification knocked Tottenham OUT the 2012/13 edition and down into the Europa League.
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This meant Spurs would be playing on Thursday nights in Europe’s secondary competition, and Chelsea supporters mocked Redknapp about this fact after the final whistle blew in Munich.
In the Daily Mail Redknapp explains he was at the Allianz Arena to watch the Champions League final, and that he had to walk around the pitch past the Chelsea faithful – who broke out into a taunting song as he went by.
“In my last year there [Tottenham], we should have got back in the Champions League,” Redknapp writes. “We finished fourth. We should have finished third but we squandered a big lead over Arsenal for third and they went and won at West Brom on the last day.
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Chelsea’s players and fans celebrated their victory long into the night
“Then Chelsea went and won the Champions League and we missed out. That was one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made, going to the game that night in Germany.
“I went with my son Jamie and Graeme Souness, who had a pal with a plane and they were going over so they invited me. We played golf the day before and watched the game in a TV box.
“At the end of the game we had to walk around the pitch at the back of the goal they’d kept all the Chelsea fans in.
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Redknapp was powerless as Chelsea forced Tottenham to lose their place in the Champions League
“As I walked past they all started singing, ‘Thursday night Channel Five’. It’s quite funny now but not at the time. I was absolutely gutted.”
Less than a month after Chelsea’s victory, Redknapp was sacked by Tottenham.
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