Mention West Ham United FC and the name Harry Redknapp immediately springs to mind. The Hammers' boss is an institution in the game; his experience of English football in the 90s from the perspective of one club is unsurpassed. His was a controversial appointment, as he took over as manager at West Ham in 1994 to succeed former favourite Billy Bonds. But Redknapp broke the mould: he was one of the first Premiership managers to recruit heavily from abroad, and he gives a refreshing insight into how such players as Raduciou, Dani, Porfirio and other foreign buys adjusted or in many cases, failed to adapt to the frenetic pace and unique culture of English football. More recently he has proved a shrewd investor in British talent, with the likes of Hartson, Berkovic, Lomas and Sinclair ensuring that the Hammers are riding high in the Premiership and looking to return to European competition in 1998/99.