Former Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has given credit to Harry Rednapp for helping him gain recognition in topflight football during his stint at Portsmouth.
Aiyegbeni had a brilliant loan spell at Fratton Park in the English Championship where he also helped the team gained promotion into the Premier League.
The former Everton forward loan move was made permanent for £4million that summer, and he thrived with Redknapp’s constant encouragement.
“I’ll always be grateful to Harry Redknapp for giving me the opportunity to play,” Aiyegbeni told Planet Football.
“He always believed in me. He always motivated me, and his man-management was unbelievable. He’d say, ‘Just go and destroy those guys. They’re not good enough. Your quality is much better than theirs.’ And I did it.
“When I crossed the white line, I wanted to give my best. I didn’t want to let myself or my family down. Harry was the one who gave me the opportunity to show myself, and I did it, thanks to him.”
During Aiyegbeni’s two-year spell at Pompey, the forward scored 36 goals in 78 appearances.
