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Redknapp’s odds to replace the former AC Milan manager have been slashed as owner Roman Abramovich goes in search of the man who he believes can bring him success in the Champions League. That'll be 'Arry then.
It's looking as though the Russian has been impressed with Tottenham’s performances in Europe’s leading club competition this season. Redknapp has come in for criticism by the way we missed out on the Champions League places for next season to Man City. You've got to admit that with only three wins in our last 15 games in all competitions, Chelsea is the only place left for old Harry.
Now Redknapp is the favourite for the role, Goal.com report that the Spurs board would not stand in the way of an approach from Chelsea, although he does still have two years remaining on his deal at White Hart Lane and is the favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England manager once the Italian steps down after Euro 2012.
If anything, it looks as though we're to blame again; the Spurs phone-in public. I mean, who are we to start asking questions about the manner in which our club surrendered the final remaining Champions League spot? I suppose we're the "idiots" for maybe wanting some more off our Lilywhite lads?
Roman Pavlyuchenko, Jermain Defoe and Sebastian Bassong have all spoken out about their frustration at Spurs, while a list of players headed up by Wilson Palacios and Jermain Jenas have been told they are free to leave the club.
But perhaps the over-riding factor against a move for Redknapp by Chelsea is there reluctance to go for a British manager with minimal experience at the top level.
Ancelotti’s former assistant at Chelsea Ray Wilkins enforces the belief the Blues would likely favour a manager from with extensive Champions League experience – with Marco Van Basten and Guus Hiddink said to be their main targets.
"I personally don’t see Chelsea going for a Brit, but Harry has come in to the frame. There must be some smoke out there in the footballing world so we’ll wait and see what happens. It’s been the last couple of years where Chelsea have gone for foreign managers so I see no reason why they won’t go for another one," Wilkins told the Godfather of all thing football, TalkSport, with Durham as Master and Commander.
Redknapp himself has dismissed the links with Chelsea and insists he is happy, but after a season which proved to be one of extremes (although Redknapp and I, to a degree, somewhat bafflingly, describe it as Tottenham’s best ever), Redknapp finds himself at a crucial period during his time with us. He's also said to be unhappy with the club’s transfer policy and the lack of backing from the board, although whether this rumour is true or not will be proved this summer as Redknapp goes in search of improving his squad. It must have been another Board that bought the likes of Palacios for 14 million then...
For every Sandro, who we will miss when he goes off to play in the 2011 Copa America tournament later this year, there has been a Kevin Prince "Jackson" Boateng or Giovanni Dos Santos.
He will likely hold out for the England job next summer, but he will have to be careful about not alienating fans or his squad further, or he will risk being pushed before he is jumped.
Thing is, if I were Levy, I would sit down with Redknapp and ask him to sign a new long-term deal with club, in effect ruling himself out of the England and any other jobs. I would give him a two week period in which to think about it. If he decided to not sign the deal after two weeks, I would hand him his P45 and wish him all the best. After all, how can the club plan for the next few years if they're unsure about the manager?
I have a feeling the Redknapp conundrum will be sorted when this court case is done and dusted.
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