Source: Team_Talk
Gamble paid off for happy Harry
Harry Redknapp admitted he had gambled and won as Tottenham triumphed over Manchester City to secure a place in the Champions League.[LNB] Spurs won 1-0 at Eastlands through Peter Crouch's header to secure fourth spot and at least a place in the qualifying rounds of Europe's elite club competition.[LNB]Tottenham have not played in the European Cup since their legendary double-winning side lost in the semi-finals to Benfica in 1962.[LNB]Redknapp, who was doused with an ice bucket by his celebrating players, said: It was great to come here and win - I took a big gamble tonight and played an attacking team. We went for it.[LNB]"People will think I'm mad coming away from home like this - all the top teams only play with one up front now.[LNB]"I'm very pleased - it's great for the club, a good achievement and we have played great football this year."[LNB]The success marks a remarkable 18 months for Redknapp who took over in October 2008 when Spurs were bottom of the Premier League with two points from eight games.[LNB]Redknapp added: "Daniel Levy [Spurs chairman] was scared that we were going to get relegated, that's why he made the move.[LNB]"At the time he was afraid we could have been stuck in a relegation battle and we were in it for a long while.[LNB]"Of course this means a lot to me, I'm delighted but I know I'm good at my job, I wouldn't have done it if I was a mug."[LNB]Redknapp picked out Crouch, fellow striker Jermain Defoe and defenders Ledley King and Michael Dawson for special praise.[LNB]"King and Dawson - my God they were good, Crouchie led the line unbelievably, it was a great performance from him, and the best we have seen from Defoe for a while," said the Spurs boss, who does not hold out much hope of Arsenal losing against Fulham on Sunday to allow Tottenham to sneak into third.[LNB]"I just wanted to make sure we got there and finished fourth, the chairman has just said to me 'who have Arsenal got on Sunday' but I doubt very much whether that will happen.[LNB]"I'm just very happy to finish fourth, that's where we wanted to be.[LNB]"It was important someone got in from outside the big four I could only see Man City breaking in.[LNB]"I thought it was going to be really tough - I could only see us finishing in the top seven and getting a European place.[LNB]"That says an awful lot for us."[LNB]Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini tried to end speculation over his future at the club by insisting he will be at Eastlands next season.[LNB]Asked whether he was confident about remaining manager, Mancini said: "Yes I'm confident. I don't know but I think I stay here. Why not?[LNB]"I work here four or five months and I think when you build a house you don't start from the roof but the basement. We work very well but we are near the roof.[LNB]"I am not a magician, I don't have a magic wand. We wanted this (fourth) place and we tried like Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa.[LNB]"When you don't finish fourth this is football but we did a good job."[LNB]Mancini claimed that City had been unlucky to lose tonight, and in key games against Manchester United and Everton.[LNB]He added: "It's disappointing that we lost this game - we didn't deserve to, we have been very unlucky in some games.[LNB]"At the same time we must be proud because we had a good season, even if we are not playing in the Champions League next year.[LNB]"Now we have a good team and can improve on next season."[LNB]Mancini said failure to make the Champions League would have no impact on the future of Carlos Tevez, who has had issues with the Italian coach over his training regime.[LNB]"Carlos Tevez has a contract with Manchester City and he will be here next season," said Mancini.
