Jamie Redknapp's climbdown! Sky pundit apologises in full to Lord Alan Sugar after former Tottenham owner threatened legal action

What was meant to be a throwaway comparison between Sugar’s era and Daniel Levy’s tenure quickly turned into a storm of outrage. The Apprentice star was livid, branding Redknapp “a double-barrel idiot” and threatening to drag both him and Sky Sports through the courts. Now, almost four weeks later, Redknapp has bowed to the pressure, publicly retracting his words in front of the nation during Friday Night Football.

The chaos began when Sky’s panel were discussing Daniel Levy’s departure and Tottenham’s direction under new leadership. Redknapp, 52, tried to draw a contrast between Levy and his predecessor, but it backfired spectacularly.

"You think back to how Alan Sugar left the club, it was a complete mess - Daniel Levy has left this club in a really good way and Vinai will know that and the people in charge now can look at this club and really believe that this can go forward," he said.

The remark instantly went viral. Within hours, Sugar had taken to X (formerly Twitter), unloading a barrage of posts directed at Redknapp and Sky.

"He talks a load of rubbish," Sugar's response added. "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."

With the legal pressure mounting, Redknapp chose Friday night’s Premier League broadcast, Bournemouth versus Fulham, as the moment to clear the air. His tone was noticeably sombre as he issued his correction.

"I mentioned that Lord Sugar had left the club in a mess," Redknapp said. "I just want to make clear that he stabilised the club and invested heavily during his time as chairman. When he took over in 1991, Spurs were close to bankruptcy and by the time he stepped away the financial position had been turned around. He also put significant money into the team and facilities. I apologise to Lord Sugar and his family for any misunderstanding and for any distress caused, and am happy to set the record straight."

Within minutes of the apology airing, Lord Sugar confirmed the feud was over, and in typical Sugar fashion, he did it publicly. Taking once again to X, he wrote: " On 13th September Jamie Redknapp stated on Sky Sports that I left Tottenham 'in a mess' when I sold the club to Daniel Levy. Tonight during Sky's Bournemouth v Fulham coverage, Redknapp has made a full apology and retracted this false allegation. Also, by way of a further apology, a donation of £10,000 has been made to Great Ormond Street Hospital."

While Tottenham prepare to face Leeds United on Saturday, Redknapp’s red-faced apology will no doubt linger in the memory of football fans. It’s a rare case of pundit meets boardroom firepower, and comes as a sharp reminder that even off the pitch, one wrong word can cost dearly. For now, Lord Sugar has his retraction, his donation, and, as ever, the last word.