Redknapp blames impending knee operation as he quits QPR

And the 67-year-old is already planning a return to football after undergoing knee replacement surgery.

Redknapp quit his post yesterday – hours after Rangers had failed to land a number of targets on deadline day, including Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor and West Ham winger Matt Jarvis.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes accepted the former Tottenham boss’s resignation after a 5.30am phone call – a day after tweeting there would be “no more cheque book” as the transfer window closed on Monday.

Redknapp told the Daily Mail: “I haven’t got the hump. We haven’t had a row. I knew some while ago that we were not going to be able to get much done in January.

“We had one real target on the last day, Emmanuel Adebayor, because we are short up front. But he was too much money. I accept that.

“There are no hard feelings on my part – I’ve not had a problem with Tony Fernandes in all my time there.”

Redknapp added: “I know what people think – that I’ve been sacked, or stormed off because we couldn’t get the players in.

“My son Jamie said that my timing has to be the worst in the world. When I look back on my career, it certainly isn’t my strong point but I can’t control what people think.”

Redknapp has been told he needs replacements for both his knees and the 67-year-old cited his health as a key factor in his decision to leave Loftus Road.

“I was awake all night, thinking about it,” Redknapp said. “I’m struggling so badly now. I can’t walk, I can barely stand and watch. I’m in pain all the time.”