Redknapp must stay - Van Der Vaart

05 June 2012 16:17

Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart admitted it was vital manager Harry Redknapp signs a new contract at White Hart Lane as he once again refused to rule out leaving the club himself.

Redknapp has just a year left on his current deal and has reportedly hired Wayne Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, to negotiate an extension. Stretford and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy both have reputations for striking hard bargains and it remains to be seen what length of contract 65-year-old Redknapp will be offered.

Asked if it was crucial Redknapp signed on, van der Vaart said: "Yeah, I think so. He is doing a fantastic job, so I don't see any problems. I think he's going to sign a new contract - I hope so - and I think it's also good for every team when they have a manager who's there for many years. So I hope he stays."

The 29-year-old Dutchman's own future has been the subject of speculation in recent days, with the Holland international having been linked with Schalke.

Asked if there was any chance of him leaving north London, he said: "No, I don't think so. There's always interest. But I'm happy in England and I want to stay. In football, you never know, and that's what I wanted to say and nothing more."

Schalke would be able to offer Van der Vaart Champions League football - something denied to Spurs this season thanks to Chelsea's shock European Cup triumph.

Tottenham finished fourth in the Barclays Premier League - enough to qualify but for what transpired in the Champions League final. However, they were also well clear in third place before collapsing from February onwards.

Van der Vaart added: "I think we have the squad to be in the top three but, this season, I think we had a run of 10 games without winning. At the end of the day, we don't deserve to be in the Champions League."

As a consequence, Van der Vaart is just one of several Tottenham stars to have been linked with moves away this summer. The forward urged Spurs to strengthen for another assault on the top three next season, starting by signing on-loan Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor on a permanent deal.

"I hope he stays," Van der Vaart said. "He's really important - not because of his goals, but also his personality's great. It's going to be difficult to keep him but I hope we will."

Source: PA