Tottenham prepared for Chelsea approach for Harry Redknapp to fill vacant manager’s job

Harry Redknapp, manager of Tottenham Hotspur

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EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey

Tottenham will not stand in the way of Harry Redknapp if he is asked to be the next Chelsea manager, Goal.com can disclose.

The odds on Redknapp becoming the next Stamford Bridge boss tumbled dramatically on Thursday afternoon from 25-1 to odds-on favourite and, at one point, some even suspended betting on the Spurs manager replacing Carlo Ancelotti.

It is understood that Tottenham have not heard from their London counterparts but senior club officials have held talks about Redknapp’s long-term future.

Spurs are not sure how serious to take the links with Chelsea but have adopted the same stance they took when he emerged as the frontrunner to replace Fabio Capello after Euro 2012.

Tottenham executives, who were so concerned about the prospect of losing him to the national team that they began drawing up a list of possible replacements last autumn, have reached the conclusion that, just as with the FA, Redknapp should be given permission to speak to Chelsea.

Although the most likely scenario is that Redknapp will remain at White Hart Lane next season, there are concerns about the medium and long-term planning while the 64-year-old remains at the helm.

Goal.com understands that the relationship between Redknapp and the board has deteriorated in recent months, with growing friction over a number of issues, including transfer targets.

The Spurs manager is concentrating on the capture of players for the short term, including Scott Parker, Sylvain Distin and Brad Friedel, while several senior voices would prefer greater resources to be centred on sourcing outstanding young talent with sell-on value.

Furthermore, there has been disquiet at the top of the club following the poor run of results in the final three months of the season and Redknapp’s oft-quoted insistence that the team was punching above its weight.

The Spurs manager lost some goodwill among supporters after labelling dissenting fans “idiots” following criticism of his team’s performance earlier this month.

Tottenham’s planning is also affected by Redknapp’s court case with the Inland Revenue in July, when he will stand trial charged with two counts of cheating HMRC of an estimated £40,000 during his time as manager of Portsmouth by evading National Insurance contributions.

Redknapp has already admitted that it is a worry for him and his family and that, at times, it has been difficult to concentrate on the job.

Even the best-case scenario of a full acquittal will interfere with Spurs’ pre-season training – they have a tour to South Africa scheduled in mid-July – and transfer activity.

Redknapp still has two years remaining on a contract worth £3m per year and Spurs will be in line for a substantial compensation payment should Chelsea, the FA, or any other employer come calling over the next 12 months.