Harry Redknapp outlines ‘only option’ in West Brom promotion debate if 19/20 season ended early
Harry Redknapp has claimed that it would be unfair to relegate any sides from the Premier League if the current season cannot be finished, but has also argued that West Brom and Leeds United should be handed promotion.
The Baggies are currently stuck in a state of limbo as they await a decision on how the top flight and the EFL plan to resolve their respective campaigns.
It is understood that a number of clubs could oppose the prospect of promotion if the Championship cannot be played to completion, but in the event of the campaign being stopped early, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager believes that the Premier League should scrap relegation, allow Albion and Leeds to be promoted, and then have five teams go down in 2020/21 to rebalance the divisions.
In the event of the campaign being stopped early, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager believes that the Premier League should scrap relegation, allow Albion and Leeds to be promoted, and then have five teams go down in 2020/21 to rebalance the divisions.
Speaking on The Football Show (Sky Sports, Monday, 9am), he said: “I don’t see how you can relegate teams if we don’t start again, that would be totally unfair. This is the time with nine games left when everything changes. To do it on points-per-game would be unfair.
“We had 10 games to go at Portsmouth and you would have written us off. We had 18 points from 28 games, we would have been given 25 points, maybe 26 max, with points-per-game and we ended up with 38 points.
“If they don’t play, the only option is to promote the two teams [Leeds and West Brom] and relegate five next season.”
This is probably the only solution that wouldn’t upset any clubs in either division.
If the current season has to be brought to an end early, it only seems right that the Baggies are still rewarded for the hard work they have put in already this term.
But equally, we have heard from the likes of Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber that there could be major opposition to sides being relegated.
On paper, therefore, this seems like a fair compromise.
Whether or not it actually becomes a reality is a different matter entirely though, with The Athletic reporting that authorities could be against the idea because of the issues it may cause with fixture congestion and central funding.
In other West Brom news, Exclusive: Phillips would rather Albion season be voided than decided by PPG.