Source: Daily_Mail
Harry Redknapp can talk to England: Spurs won't stand in his way
Tottenham Hotspur will not stand in the way of Harry Redknapp if he is asked to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager. [LNB]Redknapp's long-term future has already been discussed at the highest level at his club. Senior Tottenham executives have reached the conclusion that he should be given permission to speak to the FA if he is asked to take over from Capello following the European Championship in 2012.[LNB] Setting his sights: Harry Redknapp is in Milan preparing for Tottenham's Champions League showdown[LNB]Redknapp may be called upon sooner if England's qualification campaign is a flop, but that scenario is regarded as unlikely. [LNB]Another obstacle to an early appointment is that the Spurs boss has a trial for tax evasion pending, with a court date set for July. [LNB]Passing on the poisoned chalice? Fabio Capello is set to stand down as England coach next year[LNB]Yet Tottenham are taking the frequent links between Redknapp and the England job very seriously and fear they will soon be looking for a new manager if he continues to impress. [LNB]Taking over with Tottenham bottom of the Barclays Premier League, Redknapp has guided the club to the last 16 of the Champions League - they face Serie A leaders AC Milan in the San Siro on Tuesday night - and came out of this weekend's League fixtures with his team in fourth place, two points behind Manchester City in third with a game in hand.[LNB]Unsurprisingly such form has seen Redknapp emerge as a leading contender to manage England, with the FA adamant Capello's successor will be home grown. [LNB]New FA chairman David Bernstein confirmed this before Christmas, and Tottenham have heard enough talk within football to believe Redknapp is the strong favourite for the job. [LNB]The resulting uncertainty has led to talks between club owner Joe Lewis and chairman Daniel Levy. Lewis, in particular, regards managing England as the pinnacle for any Englishman and believes it would be wrong to block Redknapp's path to his dream job. [LNB]He feels Redknapp could become disillusioned if made to stay at White Hart Lane. [LNB]At the moment, however, the main obstacle for Redknapp and England centres on the summer trial. The tax evasion charge carries the threat of a custodial sentence and, were Redknapp to be found guilty, any punishment could seriously harm his chances of an FA appointment.[LNB] Martin Samuel: For Tottenham, this could be as good as it getsRedknapp: We're going all out attack against Milan in the San SiroSpurs are still Hot despite Bale absence, says Milan boss AllegriHarry Redknapp Q&A: Spurs boss on his big Champions League test...Can Spurs be San Heroes? Harry's men lead charge for Euro gloryTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC
