SOCCER:TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR enter another defining week with the dressing-room abuzz with talk England have lined up Harry Redknapp to succeed Fabio Capello as manager. If the move offered further evidence of the strides forward Tottenham have taken under Redknapp, it brought with it a bittersweet taste, even for the club's England contingent.
“It’s inevitable,” said Peter Crouch, ahead of tonight’s Champions League tie. “He’s been fantastic at Tottenham. He took over a side that was struggling and he’s turned them into one that’s full of confidence, playing in the Champions League and is maybe now expected to finish in the Premier League’s top four. That’s testament to him and, with him being English as well, it’s only a matter of time before England come knocking. We want to keep him for as long as possible so maybe we should start losing a few.”
If Redknapp does succeed Capello after the Euro 2012 finals he would ascend to the top job in his field having passed the retirement age of 65. Did he need the hassle and scrutiny at such a stage in life?
Redknapp has been at pains to stress the Football Association has not contacted him and, also, that nobody could see what the future held, particularly not 18 months down the line. Moreover, his focus remained with Tottenham. Yet the subtext to his comments was, yes, he would embrace the opportunity if asked.
“Do I need the aggravation?” Redknapp said. “It’s aggravation managing Tottenham, isn’t it? You either enjoy it and get on with it or walk the dogs and play golf . . . while I enjoy it, you keep going.
“It’s not an easy job, but in football now the more experienced managers are still in big positions. Alex (Ferguson) is still as good as ever. It’s how you feel. If somewhere down the line, something did come up, it’s different – you would think about it. But who knows where we’ll be in 18 months.”
Redknapp knows all about football’s cruelty but he felt its latest cut in the shape of Chris Hughton’s dismissal by Newcastle. He described the decision as “ridiculous” and also aimed a dig at Mike Ashley, the club’s owner.
“Maybe the bloke, their mate up the golf club, tells them they should change their manager,” he said of the workings of the Newcastle board. “It’s strange.”
Redknapp, however, was preoccupied with his team selection for tonight, with Sunday’s Premier League game against Chelsea also in mind. The balancing act is delicate. Redknapp is determined to win to ensure progress into the last 16 as Group A winners. But the league remains the club’s likeliest ticket back into the Champions League.
Jermaine Jenas has recovered from a calf problem and he could step in for Luka Modric, who has a virus. Redknapp suggested he might make “one or two changes”.
