Source: Team_Talk
Redknapp open to England job
Harry Redknapp has hinted he would not turn down the England job if the Football Association come calling in two years' time.[LNB] Tottenham manager Redknapp is the bookies' favourite to succeed Fabio Capello, who has confirmed he intends to step down after the 2012 European Championships.[LNB]The Spurs boss insisted he is not counting down the days until Capello quits his £6million-a-year job but is adamant the Italian's successor should be English.[LNB]Redknapp said of the prospect of managing his country: "Honestly, it's not something I sit at home and ever think about. I really don't[LNB]"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."[LNB]He added: "Why do the English lads waste their time doing their coaching badges and all the rest of the work if they're never going to get the chance to manage at the top level?[LNB]"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."[LNB]Redknapp hit out at the lack of opportunities given to English coaches.[LNB]"There are people out there in the lower divisions who could do my job, without a doubt," he said.[LNB]"John Still at Dagenham and Redbridge could do my job. Understands the game, fantastic on the game. Never gets a chance to manage in the Premier League.[LNB]"There's loads of lads around like that, who just don't get the opportunity.[LNB]"I've been one of the lucky ones to get the chance to manage at the top level.[LNB]"If you've got good players, managing England wouldn't be that difficult. And we've got good players, so I'm sure somebody out there could do it."[LNB]The Spurs boss insisted it was impossible to predict this far in advance who the Football Association would turn to in 2012.[LNB]"2012? I look at my life and I worry about next week, to be honest," he said.[LNB]"Thinking about what's going to happen in two years' time is too far away for me to worry about.[LNB]"Who knows where we're going to be, what we're going to be doing in two years? You just never know."[LNB]He added: "There are not many English people about are there, English managers?[LNB]"So I suppose I'm always going to get a mention with a few of the other lads.[LNB]"But I just want to see us do well.[LNB]"I thought we played well the other night. It was a good performance in Switzerland."[LNB]Yet, England's international victories over Bulgaria and Switzerland in the past week were not kind to Redknapp.[LNB]Having watched defender Michael Dawson sidelined for up to eight weeks after damaging knee and ankle ligaments against the former, the Spurs boss then witnessed Jermain Defoe hurting his ankle against the latter.[LNB]"The physio's taking him to see the specialist and whether it's ankle ligaments," said Redknapp of the striker, who was on crutches at Spurs' training ground today and was also wearing a protective boot on his right foot.[LNB]"Even if it's a bad sprain, they're still talking about six weeks, because it's a nasty one."[LNB]Despite the double-dose of bad luck, Redknapp has no problems with his players playing for their country - providing fixtures are sensibly scheduled.[LNB]"We started this season having a friendly game the week before the season started - it was crazy," he said, responding to news the European Club Association were demanding a review of the international schedule.[LNB]"You didn't see your players in the most important week of the season, when you're preparing to get them at their peak, to come out and play the first game.[LNB]"It was a nightmare and I think something's got to be done about that."[LNB]Redknapp also revealed injury-plagued defender Jonathan Woodgate - who is fighting to save his career - would visit a specialist on Monday for an injection the club hope will cure his nightmare groin problem.[LNB]Should that fail, Woodgate will undergo surgery that could end his season.[LNB]Redknapp did have good news to report on Peter Crouch, who withdrew from the England squad last week due to a back injury but is expected to play in Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Wigan.[LNB]The same could apply to last-gasp transfer deadline day signing Rafael van der Vaart, who trained with his team-mates for the first time today.[LNB]Asked whether the Holland midfielder would start at the Hawthorns, Redknapp said: "Possibly. I haven't decided yet but he's certainly in the squad."[LNB]Fellow new signings William Gallas and Sandro could also make their debuts this weekend, while Luca Modric is available after injury.
