Jamie Redknapp admits to putting too much pressure on eldest son to take up football

2022-12-20

Jamie Redknapp has opened up about pushing his 18 year old son Charley “too much” in the hopes of him becoming a footballer.

Jamie, 49, shares sons Charley and Beau, 14, with ex Louise Redknapp, as well as having one year old tot Raphael with wife Frida Andersson.

Charley recently moved to America to attend university, leaving mum Louise “crying ten times a day”. It’s believed the teenager is studying for a sports degree.

While former footballer Jamie hoped his eldest son would take up the sport, he’s since admitted he unintentionally pushed him away from it by being so eager to have him do it. Charley’s now an avid rugby player instead.

Discussing the matter in an interview with Project Footballer, Jamie reflected on the pressures people face as a parent.

“For parents now, it’s probably harder than ever because of the pressures,” he said.

“I’m in there, and I’d like to say I have a sixth sense for it, but I haven’t. I get emotional as the next person. I’m desperate for my little boy to be successful and do well.”

Addressing Charley – who was still 17 at the time – Jamie continued: “My 17 year old, I probably pushed him too much and I probably ended up pushing him away from football because I was so desperate for him to do it.

“I’d be like, ‘Come out in the garden. Let’s go do something’, and he’d go, ‘I don’t really want to dad’. I’d reply, ‘Why? Why don’t you want to come out and play football?’. But why should he? Just because I played football, it doesn’t make it right for him.”

The doting dad went on to say that he “regrets” the way he was with Charley as he admitted that “everyone’s different”.

Jamie was reunited with ex Louise over the summer as they attended Charley’s graduation dinner.

Posing proudly alongside his 47 year old mum, Charley looked red carpet ready as he donned a black tux and red bowtie for the occasion, while Louise opted for a chic high necked floral dress and a signature ponytail.

Captioning the photo on her Instagram page, Louise wrote: "So proud of my boy and best friend @charley_redknapp. School leavers dinner tonight, next stop uni.”

Another photo from the occasion that was also shared by Jamie, showed the pair smiling with a beer in hand as they toasted to the teenager's future success.

Captioning the snap, Jamie said: "Epsom college leavers ball. Wow! You guys were on fire tonight. I'm so proud of you and the man you're turning into @charley_redknapp. Next stop [American flag and football emojis]."

He then teased: "We might have to work on your bow tie game. Have a word."

READ MORE:

To read the very best of today’s OK! content from breaking news to Royals and TV – CLICK HERE
Prince Harry to do his first UK interview in years to promote upcoming memoir
Inside Olivia Bowen’s home as she celebrates first Christmas as a family of three
Geordie Shore’s Sophie Kasaei confirms romance with TOWIE star with loved-up video
For all your daily celebrity news and gossip, sign up to OK!’s newsletter – CLICK HERE

Source: Read Full Article