I won’t turn down England, says Harry
HARRY REDKNAPP admitted last night he would not turn down the England manager’s job if the Football Association came calling in two years’ time.
The Tottenham manager is red-hot favourite to succeed Fabio Capello, who has confirmed he will stand down as boss after Euro 2012.
Redknapp has played down any links with the job during the Italian’s time in charge, but insists the next man in charge of the national side should be English.
“Honestly, it’s not something I sit at home and ever think about, I really don’t,” the 63-year-old said. “2012? I look at my life and I worry about next week, to be honest.
“I’ve always said if you’re an Englishman, it would be hard to turn it down, because it’s the pinnacle of your career. If you’ve got good players, managing England wouldn’t be that difficult.”
He added: “Why do the English lads waste their time doing their coaching badges and all the rest of the work if they’re never going to get the chance to manage at the top level?
“I want to see an Englishman get the job – whoever it may be – and there are lots of lads out there who could do that job, I’m sure.”
In the meantime, however, Redknapp is focusing purely on his role at White Hart Lane and a latest setback which has seen top striker Jermain Defoe ruled out for at least six weeks with an ankle problem.
The 27-year-old was seen on crutches and wearing a protective boot at Tottenham’s training ground yesterday after being stretchered off during England’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday night.
“Even if it’s a bad sprain, he’ll be out for about six weeks or so because it’s a nasty one,” Redknapp admitted.
Defoe is expected to miss at least four Premier League matches and the Champions League ties against Werder Bremen and FC Twente.