Harry Redknapp should become next England manager, says Peter Crouch

07 December 2010 00:24
Peter Crouch believes it is 'inevitable' Harry Redknapp will one day become England manager. This despite the Tottenham boss insisting he is concentrating solely on extending his side's remarkable debut run in the Champions League. [LNB]Football Association general secretary Alex Horne has confirmed Redknapp is on a 'long-list' to succeed Fabio Capello when the Italian's contract ends in 18 months' time. [LNB]And, ahead of Tuesday's crucial away match with FC Twente, Crouch gave his club manager his full backing. [LNB] National service: Peter Crouch reckons Spurs boss Harry Redknapp would make a perfect choice to become next England manager[LNB]The England striker said: 'It's inevitable. He's been fantastic at Tottenham ever since he came in. [LNB]'He took over a side that was struggling and now he's turned them into a team that's playing full of confidence and in the Champions League, and may be expected now to finish in the top four (in the Premier League). [LNB]Enlarge 'That's testament to the manager and it's only a matter of time, with him being English as well, that England come knocking on the door.' [LNB]But Crouch insists he does not want to lose his boss too quickly, joking: 'We want to keep him here for as long as possible so maybe we should start losing a few games!' [LNB]Redknapp said the FA has never been in touch about managing England. [LNB]But the Spurs boss insists he would still have the passion and energy for the role in 18 months' time, when he will be 65. [LNB]He said: 'It's not an easy job, but in football now the more experienced managers are still in big positions (and are) top managers. It's how you feel. Some people are tired at 38 or 40, aren't they? Otherpeople are full of energy at 70. You can't tell.' [LNB]Energy has certainly been a feature of Spurs' performances in Europe this season. [LNB]Redknapp'sside have invigorated the Champions League group stage, too often shorton drama and excitement, with their positive, attacking football - and aconspicuous lack of clean sheets. [LNB]Victory on Tuesday night will ensure Tottenham reach the knockout stages as Group A winners. [LNB]The Spurs boss said: 'It has been good for us. To come here in the position we are in is fantastic really; one that would have been hard tobelieve when we were out in Switzerland getting beat 3-0 by Young Boys of Berne (in the qualifying stage). [LNB] 'I thought, "That's going to be a short experience in Europe!" (But) teams will have looked at us, looked at some of our players and thought, "That's a dangerous place to go, Tottenham". [LNB] Party time: A win in Holland would see Tottenham finish top of Group A[LNB]'We've scored goals. We got three against Milan at home, we had the draw (against Werder Bremen) in Germany but now we've got to try to get a win away from home now. [LNB]'That would send out a good message for us.' Jermaine Jenas is set to return from a calf injury tonight but fellow midfielder Luka Modric is 50-50. Jenas has been sidelined since limping out of the 3-0 win over Werder Bremen two weeks ago, while Modric has been struck down by flu. [LNB]Rafael van der Vaart (hamstring) and Younes Kaboul (hip) are still missing.[LNB] Enlarge   Foreign threat to Redknapp's ambition of becoming the next England bossBlackburn, Tottenham and Liverpool keep tabs on Russia ace PogrebnyakVan der Vaart set for shock comeback as star reveals he'll be fit for Blackpool TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC

Source: Daily_Mail