England job a ‘poisoned chalice’, says Redknapp

Harry Redknapp admits it would be a tough act to replace Fabio Capello as England boss but something an Englishman cannot turn down, according to reports in the British press.

Tottenham manager is the favourite to take over as England manager, with Capello due to quit after next summer’s European Championships.
 
But he reckons it would be akin to following Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United if the Italian succeeds in grabbing silverware the Euro 2012.

“It is a poisoned chalice,” said the 64-year-old. “Good luck to whoever takes over if they win Euro 2012, because it would be like following Sir Alex Ferguson (at Manchester United), wouldn’t it?
 
“But it would be difficult for any Englishman to turn the job down. I’m not pushing myself for the job - whoever gets offered the job, if they’re an Englishman, it would be hard to say ‘no’ because it’s your country.
 
“But it’s not a problem. I haven’t heard anything from anybody so I’ll just get on with my job and see what happens. You never know what happens in this game, do you? You never know what’s just around the corner.”

Redknapp has made no secret it would be impossible for him to turn down England should the opportunity arise.
 
But he reckons if the Italian delivers what the country craves for at Euro 2012, it will up the stakes for the man who replaces him.
 
Redknapp was recently given an extended contract that will keep him at White Hart Lane until 2013, though the 63-year-old insists his future has not been discussed by chairman Daniel Levy.
 
Redknapp added: “We’ve never talked about England.

“But it would be difficult for any Englishman to turn the job down. I’m not pushing myself. Yet whoever gets offered the job, if they’re an Englishman, it would be hard to say no. It’s your country.
 
“There are plenty of other boys about who could do the job. We’ll see how we go.”

Redknapp’s latest taste of European football sees his Spurs side start the group stages of the Europa League against PAOK in the northern Greek town of Thessaloniki to face along with a group of fringe players and youngsters.

But the Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday is clearly the north London club’s priority.

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