Former Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari has spoken highly of his former manager, Harry Redknapp, describing it as a “privilege” to have played under the English tactician during his time at Portsmouth.
Muntari joined the Premier League side from Italian club Udinese Calcio in a deal worth approximately £7.1 million, signing a five-year contract. Under Redknapp’s guidance, he quickly established himself as a key player for the team.
One of Muntari’s most memorable moments came in the FA Cup Sixth Round, where he scored the decisive penalty in Portsmouth’s 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
That crucial goal helped propel the team into the semi-finals, and he was later part of the starting XI that triumphed in the 2008 FA Cup Final against Cardiff City at Wembley.
Reflecting on his time at Portsmouth in an interview with Flashscore, Muntari praised Redknapp’s management style and influence.
“For us, everybody loved him. Everybody felt or was feeling that he was the most important thing. He gives you freedom to do whatever you want at the same time. If you’re not performing well, he lets you know.
“He was experienced and very calm. He’s a big top coach and a businessman too. During our time, he did a lot of the signings and transfers and he had an amazing eye to get top players.
“So he blended us with Sylvain Distin, Sol Campbell, Nwankwo Kanu. I was there with Lassana Diara in the midfield, and then we had Niko Kranjcar and David James, so top top players,” he added.
After just one season at Portsmouth, during which he made 29 appearances and scored four goals, Muntari moved on to join Italian giants Internazionale.
