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Harry Redknapp insists he holds no grudges against Roy Hodgson, even though the West Bromwich Albion boss is set to inherit the England role he craved. The Football Association stunned most observers when they went against public opinion last night and confirmed they had made an approach for Hodgson to replace Fabio Capello.
Redknapp had been the overwhelming favourite, but despite winning the FA Cup at Portsmouth and taking Tottenham into the Champions League, it seems he is not what the FA were looking for. "I don't hold grudges, I don't feel like that," said Redknapp this morning. "There's no problem. If Roy takes the job I wish him all the best. He's a great guy. I'm sure he'll be a big success.
"I still think England's got some great players, I really do. I think there's some fantastic players in this country, some young players coming through, some great experienced players." The Spurs boss said: "I'm looking forward to the European Championships, looking forward to watching it. Life couldn't be better, the sun's shining, my health is good, very lucky man."
The latest developments mark the beginning of an end to a tortuous few weeks since Capello announced his resignation on 8 February. It is anticipated Hodgson will speak to the four-man FA board later today and his appointment will be confirmed within the next 48 hours, which would allow him to announce England's UEFA EURO 2012 squad on 10 May, as indicated by Stuart Pearce last week. "I suppose it's dragged on, but it's no problem," said Redknapp.
Providing there are no unforeseen problems, Hodgson will complete the Premier League season with West Brom before taking up his duties ahead of two EURO 2012 warm-up matches against Norway on 26 May and Belgium on 2 June.
He certainly has plenty in his favour, including an impressive CV that boasts international experience with Switzerland, Finland and the United Arab Emirates. As his West Brom contract is due to expire in the summer anyway, he would not cost any compensation either.
The fact Hodgson does not operate with a long-standing backroom team, unlike Redknapp, is also a plus and his present base in Solihull makes it a far easier commute to the FA's impressive new coaching hub at St George's Park in Burton - unlike Redknapp, who has always preferred to remain on the south coast.
"It didn't surprise me," said Bolton manager Owen Coyle, whose side face Tottenham on Wednesday and West Brom on Sunday. "I always felt it was between the two of them. There was the clamour for Harry and we all understand why.
"But it didn't surprise me that they then tried to approach Roy. I am absolutely thrilled. If Roy decides to take the job, there is no doubt he ticks every box in terms of what England are looking for.
"He has a proven track record and international experience. Obviously people made a lot of Harry being the favourite, and I think you have two outstanding candidates there. If it is an English manager you are looking for, then those are the two you certainly would have been looking to choose between.
"Harry was always going to be a difficult one because of the compensation involved, but Roy is a terrific manager, someone I have a lot of time for, and I have no doubts he can bring real success to the England national team."
Redknapp had been the overwhelming favourite, but despite winning the FA Cup at Portsmouth and taking Tottenham into the Champions League, it seems he is not what the FA were looking for. "I don't hold grudges, I don't feel like that," said Redknapp this morning. "There's no problem. If Roy takes the job I wish him all the best. He's a great guy. I'm sure he'll be a big success.
"I still think England's got some great players, I really do. I think there's some fantastic players in this country, some young players coming through, some great experienced players." The Spurs boss said: "I'm looking forward to the European Championships, looking forward to watching it. Life couldn't be better, the sun's shining, my health is good, very lucky man."
The latest developments mark the beginning of an end to a tortuous few weeks since Capello announced his resignation on 8 February. It is anticipated Hodgson will speak to the four-man FA board later today and his appointment will be confirmed within the next 48 hours, which would allow him to announce England's UEFA EURO 2012 squad on 10 May, as indicated by Stuart Pearce last week. "I suppose it's dragged on, but it's no problem," said Redknapp.
Providing there are no unforeseen problems, Hodgson will complete the Premier League season with West Brom before taking up his duties ahead of two EURO 2012 warm-up matches against Norway on 26 May and Belgium on 2 June.
If Roy takes the job I wish him all the best. He's a great guy. I'm sure he'll be a big success.
Tottenham Hotspur coach Harry Redknapp on the FA favouring Roy Hodgson for the England job
He certainly has plenty in his favour, including an impressive CV that boasts international experience with Switzerland, Finland and the United Arab Emirates. As his West Brom contract is due to expire in the summer anyway, he would not cost any compensation either.
The fact Hodgson does not operate with a long-standing backroom team, unlike Redknapp, is also a plus and his present base in Solihull makes it a far easier commute to the FA's impressive new coaching hub at St George's Park in Burton - unlike Redknapp, who has always preferred to remain on the south coast.
"It didn't surprise me," said Bolton manager Owen Coyle, whose side face Tottenham on Wednesday and West Brom on Sunday. "I always felt it was between the two of them. There was the clamour for Harry and we all understand why.
"But it didn't surprise me that they then tried to approach Roy. I am absolutely thrilled. If Roy decides to take the job, there is no doubt he ticks every box in terms of what England are looking for.
"He has a proven track record and international experience. Obviously people made a lot of Harry being the favourite, and I think you have two outstanding candidates there. If it is an English manager you are looking for, then those are the two you certainly would have been looking to choose between.
"Harry was always going to be a difficult one because of the compensation involved, but Roy is a terrific manager, someone I have a lot of time for, and I have no doubts he can bring real success to the England national team."
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