Harry Redknapp: I'd struggle to turn down England job
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp today admitted that it would be difficult to turn down the chance to become England manager.
After England national team coach Fabio Capello revealed this week that he will stand down as England manager and quit football management altogether after the UEFA 2012 European Football Championship, Redknapp was touted by the media as one of the favourites to take over the job in two years time.
The Football Association are widely expected to appoint an Englishman as the new coach, and 63-year-old Redknapp is one of the most qualified candidates.
'Pinnacle of your career'
At a press conference today, Redknapp was asked about the possibility of managing his country and insisted that the next man in the job should be an Englishman. He said that: "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. 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."
Redknapp also took the opportunity to bemoan the lack of opportunities given to English managers. Of the 20 clubs currently in the English Premier League, just five (six, if you count English-born former Republic of Ireland internationals) are managed by Englishmen.
The Spurs boss said that: “There are people out there in the lower divisions who could do my job, without a doubt. John Still at Dagenham and Redbridge could do my job. He never gets a chance to manage in the Premier League. There's loads of lads around like that, who just don't get the opportunity. I've been one of the lucky ones to get the chance to manage at the top level.”
Redknapp has the credentials to become England manager after leading Spurs to fourth in the EPL last season and into the UEFA Champions League. He has also led Portsmouth to the Football League Division One (equivalent to the modern-day Football League Championship) title as well as the FA Cup.
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