Adel Taarabt has fired back at Harry Redknapp following the QPR manager’s stinging public criticism, in which he labeled the Moroccan international “overweight” and out of shape. Taarabt, feeling the need to defend his professional integrity, chose to respond not with insults but with an attempt to set the record straight.
“I’m a professional. This isn’t retaliation. It’s about protecting my reputation.”
Taarabt insisted his playing style and role as a creative attacker don’t align with Redknapp’s expectations for defensive work:
“My job is to create and help the team score goals. Maybe he expects me to make more tackles. But I’m not that type of player.”
He didn’t stop there. Taarabt questioned the training standards and motivation levels at the club, comparing them unfavorably with what he experienced during his loan spell at AC Milan:
“He (Redknapp) spends most of his time in his office. When he turns off his phone, he watches training for five or ten minutes. The sessions are not at the same level as at AC Milan. They are not as intense. The players are not motivated.”
This response clearly escalates the tension between player and manager at QPR, suggesting a breakdown in trust and communication. With both sides trading public statements, Taarabt’s future at the club appears increasingly uncertain.