Redknapp says Salah prioritised money with move to Turkey

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes Mohamed Salah chose financial benefits over sporting ambition when he left the Premier League for a move to Turkey.

Redknapp also backed Omar Marmoush to make a positive contribution to Tottenham Hotspur this season, although he said the forward must continue working hard and showing determination if he is to deliver results.

Speaking to Al-Nahar TV, Redknapp said he had expected Salah to move to Saudi Arabia after his departure from the English top flight. Instead, Salah joined Trabzonspor in Turkey, a decision Redknapp believes was motivated largely by financial considerations.

“I expected Salah to move to Saudi Arabia after leaving the Premier League, but he went to Turkey and, in my opinion, he did not choose a better club than the one he was at. I think he preferred the financial side,” Redknapp said.

Salah had been a highly influential player at Liverpool, according to Redknapp, who acknowledged that the club may have felt the effect of his departure in some way.

“Mohamed Salah was an outstanding player at Liverpool and had a huge influence. Liverpool may have been affected in one way or another, but perhaps choosing Turkey is the best option for him,” he added.

Redknapp was more positive when discussing Marmoush, describing the player as “wonderful” and predicting that he could help Tottenham move forward and improve their performances during the season.

“Omar Marmoush is a wonderful player and he will be a reason for Tottenham to move forward and for the team’s performances to develop,” Redknapp said.

He also advised Marmoush to maintain his focus after what he viewed as a promising start.

“I advise Marmoush to continue showing determination. I think he has made a good start, but he must keep working to achieve results this season,” Redknapp concluded.

Redknapp, 79, managed Tottenham Hotspur between 2008 and 2012. During that period, he took charge of the club in 198 matches across all competitions.

Before and after his time at Tottenham Hotspur, Redknapp also managed a number of English clubs, including West Ham, Bournemouth, Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Derby County.

His final managerial appointment came at Birmingham, where he was in charge from April until September 2017.

The former manager’s comments come as both Salah’s move to Trabzonspor and Marmoush’s role at Tottenham Hotspur continue to attract attention. While Redknapp questioned the sporting value of Salah’s decision to move to Turkey, he retained confidence in Marmoush’s ability to influence Tottenham’s progress provided the player continues to apply himself.