Harry Redknapp jokes Thomas Tuchel is a ‘German spy’ and is accused of doing Nazi salute

Harry Redknapp jokes that new England boss Thomas Tuchel is a ‘German spy’ and is also being accused of doing a Nazi salute.

During a charity event in London last week. Redknapp jokingly referred to Tuchel as a “German spy” and suggested he was sent to “ruin” the England team.

In a video published by The Guardian this week, the 78 year old can be seen raising his left arm in a gesture which has been widely interpreted as resembling a Nazi salute, while putting on a German accent. These actions were met with laughter from the audience at the event.

The comments and gesture have sparked significant backlash on social media, with some criticising Redknapp for insensitivity, especially given the historical connotations of the Nazi salute.

Tuchel, a German national, was appointed England manager in October 2024 and has recently led the team to victories in World Cup qualifying matches.

Redknapp’s representatives have been approached for comment, however there has been no official response from him has been widely reported as of now. The incident has led to discussions about the appropriateness of such humour in a public setting.

Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp jokingly labelled new England boss Thomas Tuchel a ‘German spy’ 🇩🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🕵️‍♂️

Later, he appeared to perform a Nazi salute, according to this video posted on the Guardian’s website 👀👇 pic.twitter.com/Wt3RN7vpY0

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) March 28, 2025

Questioned whether Tuchel was “the man” for the England job, Redknapp is heard responding back: “I don’t know.”

He added: “I’ll be honest with you, I think he’s a German spy. I’m telling you. Seriously, he’s been sent over to f— us up. He has. Listen, I’m telling you, he’s like Lord Haw-Haw in the war – ‘We have your best soldiers captured’, and all that.”

Redknapp then suggests Tuchel had been ordered to “Go over and ruin that team” and goes on to say “Ja” in a German accent, then raises his left arm.

Telegraph Sport understands that this was not intended to mimic a Nazi gesture.

The incident, which drew laughter and applause from the audience, came moments before Redknapp left the stage. He is heard to say: “I’m going. I’ve got to go and see my accountant.”

He joked, with it relating to his own 2012 trial for tax fraud, at a time he was favourite to be named England manager. Redknapp was acquitted but missed out on the national team job to Roy Hodgson.

At the end of the video, Redknapp says he had not been paid for his appearance.

Redknapp declined to comment when contacted by Telegraph Sport.

Fans reacted as Harry Redknapp jokes Thomas Tuchel is a ‘German spy’ and is accused of doing Nazi salute…

@JoshRL4: Joke, fine. Nazi salute, not fine.

@UltraStarTime: Nonsense, he makes a throwaway joke about Tuchel being a Germany spy then points to the door as it’s time for him to go, watch the video.

@Lockers75: Never in the world was that a “Nazi” salute. Or did it “appear” like one. Shameful headline given very few people will watch the video. You should apologise for this.

@RedDevilWazza: Harry’s an old man, in his day you were allowed to joke without everyone getting offended. It’s no biggie.

@BluesSW6: Where exactly was the “joke”. There was clearly a lot of bitterness behind everything he said, after all he was talking about the same manager that came in and cleaned up the mess his nephew left and went onto deliver great success.

@NotNUFCAirport: Heres my hot take. Where do we draw the line? 78 year old man makes murky joke about a German which probably fits his time. Should we kill him? Theres GERMAN’s defending him. Surely we all need to look within if thats the case

@JohnSlaterITFC: How the fuck are people calling Harry Redknapp a racist for jokingly calling Tuchel a German spy and doing the Nazi salute? Jesus Christ.

@ArcheryContest: Harry Redknapp is desperate to learn about the Nazis

@dangiallorossi: I can’t tell you how much I really fucking want Tommy Tuchel to win the World Cup next year.

@101jaybourne: Probably a joke tbf

@rich78murph: oh so fucking what it’s a joke

@cricketcelt: It’s always the ones you least suspect

@RobbieSkeates: RE: Harry Redknapp If you seriously get offended by what he said, we may as well cancel all after dinner speakers and meet and greets now. Let’s get a grip please.

@Harold_G97: One normal day of Harry Redknapp is all I ask

@pete316: Grow up will he ffs 😂

@SufcLee: harry redknapp wont be invited to wembley by tuchel anytime soon 😄

@hornchurchammer: That’s his media career screwed.

@Nick_Metcalfe: And if you’re going to do crazy stuff in a public setting, definitely do it in this era when nobody can record things easily.

0 – Harry Redknapp never named a single German player in any of his 641 Premier League starting XI’s as a manager. Spies.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 28, 2025