Luka Modrić has spoken highly of his former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp, on multiple occasions, crediting him for key developments in his career and praising his coaching ability.
Recent Praise (December 2025)
In a recent interview, Modrić reflected on his time at Spurs under Redknapp:”We played one of the most beautiful football styles in the league. A real expert, a guy who understands football. In my opinion, it’s unbelievable that he never became England’s national coach. He was ideal for that generation they had.”
He highlighted the attractive, attacking play during that era, including memorable games like the 4-4 draw against Arsenal.
Career-Defining Tactical Change
Modrić has repeatedly thanked Redknapp for moving him from the left wing to a central midfield role (often as a deep-lying playmaker), which transformed his game and allowed him to better read matches and express his creativity.
After winning the 2018 Ballon d’Or, Modrić said the positional shift “helped me a lot in my career” and directly credited Redknapp for making it.
Boosting Confidence
He also recalled how Redknapp built his confidence, even singing “give the ball to Luka” to teammates to emphasise his importance in the team.
Overall, Modrić views Redknapp as a “great guy, great coach” who played a “very important” role in his rise to becoming one of the world’s best midfielders.
Luka Modrić’s Real Madrid Career (2012–2025)Luka Modrić joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2012 for a reported £30 million transfer fee. Over 13 seasons, he established himself as one of the club’s greatest ever players, becoming a key figure in one of the most successful eras in Real Madrid’s history.
Key Statistics/Appearances:
Approximately 590–597 across all competitions
Goals: 43
Assists: Numerous (exact career assists at Madrid around 80+ in major competitions)
Notable records: Became the oldest player to appear and score for Real Madrid (surpassing Ferenc Puskás in the 2024/25 season)
Trophies Won (28 – Most Decorated Player in Club History)
Modrić won a record 28 major trophies with Real Madrid: UEFA Champions League: 6 (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024) – One of only five players in history to win six.
FIFA Club World Cup: 6
UEFA Super Cup: 5
La Liga: 4
Copa del Rey: 2
Supercopa de España: 5
He was pivotal in the three consecutive Champions League wins (2016–2018) under Zinedine Zidane and continued to contribute significantly even in later years, often as a substitute while maintaining high performance levels.
Highlights and Legacy
Overcame initial scepticism from fans and media to become a midfield maestro known for vision, composure, and leadership.
Served as club captain in his final season (2024/25) after Nacho’s departure.
Played a crucial role in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (reaching semi-finals, lost 4–0 to PSG).
His time at Madrid ended after the 2025 Club World Cup, with the club announcing his departure in May 2025. He subsequently joined AC Milan on a free transfer in July 2025.
Modrić is widely regarded as a Real Madrid legend, embodying the club’s values with humility and excellence. His 2018 Ballon d’Or win (while at Madrid) capped his peak years alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos, and others.
