• Premier League

FA's Redknapp snub delights Van der Vaart

ESPN staff
May 3, 2012
Rafael van der Vaart is sure Tottenham will secure Champions League football next season © Getty Images
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Rafael van der Vaart has expressed his joy at the news Harry Redknapp will not be leaving Tottenham Hotspur to become England manager.

Redknapp had been tipped to become the permanent successor to Fabio Capello after the Italian coach parted company with the national team back in February.

But, on Tuesday, West Brom's Roy Hodgson was confirmed as the new manager of England, meaning Redknapp is set to remain as coach of Tottenham, who are currently fourth in the Premier League table.

"I am happy he is staying," Van der Vaart said. "He is doing a fantastic job here and it's important for any club that a manager stays as long as possible, especially here.

"It's his fourth season and every year he has done well, so I think everybody is happy about it. He is a special manager. He always gives you a lot of confidence and it is not as though he is on your case the whole time.

"He talks with the players so we are really happy with him, and you could see in the game last night [against Bolton] that we wanted to fight for him."

Spurs' 4-1 scalp of Bolton on Wednesday ensured back-to-back wins in the league after a poor period of form, and Van der Vaart is hopeful they can still qualify for the Champions League ahead of crunch games against Aston Villa and then Fulham.

The Dutchman said: "We look to Arsenal - we were 10 points ahead, now we are one down, but anything is possible. As long as we win, I have a feeling we will be in the Champions League."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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