• Premier League

Redknapp: Champions League wouldn't have saved me

ESPN staff
June 14, 2012
Harry Redknapp believes Champions League football would not have saved his Tottenham job © Getty Images
Enlarge

Harry Redknapp believes qualification for next season's Champions League would not have had any bearing on Tottenham's decision to relieve him of his duties as manager.

The 65-year-old's departure was confirmed in the early hours of Thursday morning, with Redknapp telling reporters that his exit with a year still left on his contract was down to the fact "the club decided to go in a different direction".

Redknapp also revealed his belief that had Spurs qualified for the Champions League - they finished fourth in the Premier League and missed out on entry into next year's Champions League by virtue of Chelsea's success in the competition - his fate would still have gone the same way.

"We finished fourth and were unlucky at the end, but I think the same outcome would have happened," Redknapp said on BBC Radio Five Live.

"Even if we had finished fourth, the chairman would have gone down the same road. But that is football.

"I had four great years at Spurs. All you can do is leave the club in a better state than you found it and I did that, for sure."

Everton manager David Moyes has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to take over from Redknapp, while the former West Ham and Portsmouth boss stated his desire to find another job and continue.

"I love football. I would suit any job. I don't think I am coming to the end of my career," he explained.

"Alex Ferguson is in his seventies and is still the best manager in the world. I am as fit as a fiddle."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices