Why Alan Sugar wants to SUE Jamie Redknapp and Sky Sports over Tottenham accusation

(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Lord Alan Sugar has threatened legal action against Sky Sports and Jamie Redknapp following the pundit's scathing assessment that Tottenham were a "complete mess" when he departed in 2001.

The former Spurs midfielder made the controversial remarks while working alongside ex-Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola during coverage of Tottenham's impressive 3-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday.

The Premier League encounter represented Spurs' maiden outing since Daniel Levy's bombshell departure from his role as chairman. Levy had been at the helm since Enic acquired Tottenham's controlling interest from Sugar nearly a quarter of a century ago.

The electronics tycoon presided over Spurs for 10 years, witnessing their FA Cup triumph in 1991 and League Cup success in 1999. Under Levy's stewardship, the north London outfit secured two pieces of silverware while relocating to their spectacular £1.2billion home and constructing state-of-the-art training facilities.

Addressing the 63-year-old's surprising departure - a verdict reached by Tottenham's revamped leadership - Redknapp lambasted the condition Sugar left the club in while lauding Levy's achievements.

"I have been critical of Daniel Levy, there were a few highs I didn't like in how he operated," the 52 year old Redknapp declared before kick-off.

"But in terms of the training ground, the facilities, the infrastructure and [building] one of the best football stadiums in the world, he has done a great job there... You think back to Alan Sugar, how he left the club was a complete mess.

"Daniel Levy has left it in a really great way and [chief executive] Vinai [Venkatesham] will know that, and the people that are in charge now will really look at this club and think it can go forward."

Merely 21 minutes after Sky broadcast a segment featuring Redknapp's remarks on X, previously known as Twitter, Sugar retaliated with the prospect of legal proceedings.

(Image: Graham Chadwick /Allsport)

"Jamie Redknapp is a double barrel idiot. He talks a load of rubbish. He said when Daniel Levy took over Spurs Alan Sugar left the club in a right mess. He and Sky will be hearing from my lawyers Monday @redknapp."

The profile that Sugar referenced belongs to Harry Redknapp, Jamie's father. Sugar corrected himself in a follow-up message, cautioning: "I am coming after you @MrJamieRedknapp idiot."

Sky Sports have been contacted for comment. Sugar persisted in viewing Sky's broadcast of the evening fixture, expressing frustration about VAR following Spurs having a strike in the opening period controversially ruled out for an infringement.

Thomas Frank's outfit proceeded to triumph 3-0 courtesy of second-half strikes from Pape Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven.