The World's Game (According to Us)

Coach Harry Redknapp gets the key to the city of Portsmouth—three days after he left to coach Tottenham Hotspur.

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The life of a shepherd in Portsmouth is not an easy one.

A word of advice: before giving your team's coach the keys to the city, make sure he hasn't already slipped out the back door. Literally. That's what happened in Portsmouth in the last week when Harry Redknapp, the manager who had led the local soccer club to victory in the FA Cup and a solid top-10 place in the English Premier League, was awarded the title of "freeman" in Portsmouth (This means he can now herd a flock of sheep through the middle of town). This is where it gets awkward.

Just three days earlier, Redknapp had left Portsmouth to join as manager the rich but last-place club, Tottenham Hotspur.

The fans at Redknapp's induction ceremony were not very welcoming. When Gerald Vernon-Jackson, head of the town council, said, "Harry has had a huge impact on this city. I was thinking, what do I call him?"

"Judas!" they shouted.

Later, when Redknapp was supposed to sign the register of town freemen, he couldn't find a pen. (Second word of advice: During a public book-signing ritual, make sure there's a pen around).

Redknapp's sudden defection to struggling Spurs in mid-season—the night before both teams had games—was odd. It's hard to imagine a similar move in American sports. Would Joe Maddon have moved to the Yankees in July? Would Jon Gruden have taken over the Niners on Saturday? People assume that America is the height of money-and-me-first athletes and coaches, who will desert any sense of loyalty for the right price. When Bobby Petrino bolted the Atlanta Falcons for the Arkansas job in the middle of the season, he was—rightfully, by most assessments—skewered. But at least he wasn't coaching the next week. In English soccer, a switch can take place in a weekend. And Redknapp even admitted the three million pounds per that Tottenham could offer was a big consideration.

Redknapp seems to have started well at least. After meeting many of his players for the first time on Saturday and making one slight tactical adjustment, he watched his new team win its first league game of the season on Sunday, 2-0 over Bolton. Maybe this was brilliant coaching, or maybe it was what some newspapers have called, the "Harry bounce," as if the players were like swing voters after a party convention.

But Tottenham is shaking up more than just their lineups with Redknapp on board. They've fired both the manager, Juande Ramos and the director of football, Damien Comolli. Redknapp will take over for both of them. It's the traditional English system, in which a single manager is in charge of the works, that's since been abandoned by most American and continental European teams. Some say this avoids conflict, but others think it puts too many eggs in one basket. If Redknapp fails and is fired, there will be less continuity in scouting and recruiting.

Harry's already making waves in his director role by suggesting that he'd like to bring over a few of his Portsmouth players. His replacement there, Tony Adams, responded by telling his team that they should get lost if they weren't committed to Portsmouth. (Third word of advice: if you're the new manager of a small club, be careful what you wish for.)

Redknapp's move brings us to the age-old question of loyalty in today's sports marketplace. Should Brett Favre talk to opposing coaches about Green Bay's offensive scheme? Should Becks take his millions to Milan just because the Galaxy had an awful year? (By the way, we hear he's moving near the Milanese red-light district). Should a man be able to herd a flock of sheep in more than one town?

Redknapp will lead his Tottenham sheep a few miles south to London rivals Arsenal today. We have a feeling the flock won't be welcome there.

EXTRA TIME

• The hand of God I: Maradona to coach Argentina.
• The hand of God II: Nuns buy stake in team.
• Cristiano Ronaldo and a bunch of Spaniards are the best players in the world.
• Ronaldo pigs out and admits it.
• Brazil gets soccer museum.

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