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Doug King addresses Harry Redknapp claims which emerged in Coventry City manager hunt
Doug King has reiterated that there was no contact or influence from Harry Redknapp when it came to choosing Frank Lampard as Mark Robins' successor at Coventry City. Lampard has ended his 18-month absence from football upon agreeing to take up the Sky Blues job, and he was unveiled on Thursday evening ahead of the hosting of Cardiff City on Saturday.
Reports emerged in the lead up to Lampard being confirmed as Robins' replacement that King was an associate of former West Ham and Tottenham manager Redknapp, who is the uncle of Lampard. King, though, was sceptical of those claims, however, and played down the relationship it was perceived he had with Redknapp.
"No," King told talkSPORT. "I think I played golf once with Harry Redknapp in Spain, about eight years ago, I haven't spoken to him since. Everybody has got what they want to say, in the media. If you think I'm going to be influenced when making such a big decision, by external people...everybody has got an opinion. It's my opinion at the end that counted and I spoke to who I needed to within the process.
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"My conversations with Frank were really good. I liked it, I liked the feel of it, I felt like he was ready and, for me, it's just about Frank not putting too much pressure on himself. There was a lot of media spotlight and he just needs to ease himself in. We're going to give him as much time as he needs to get it moving."
During his interview with talkSPORT, King also addressed the claims suggested that he had proceeded with the appointing of Lampard despite advice from senior staff within the club advising against doing so.
"Some don't like to hear too many things and they go their own route," King added. "I like everybody to have an opinion and to be really honest in their opinions. That's with all of my businesses, and the football club as well. That way you get real feedback and not 'should I, shan't I, he's the owner'. All that sort of stuff.
"Everybody has their opinion, but for me and all that I heard and who I chatted with - not just within the club, but externally as well - I have been in this business a couple of years and I know a few people who I really respect. It was clear for me when I looked at it all that Frank was absolutely the right person.
