Harry Redknapp believes Tottenham can hold their heads high after bowing out of the UEFA Champions League.
The quarter-finals proved to be a hurdle too far for Spurs as they lost 5-0 on aggregate to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
A 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane on Wednesday put the final nail in their coffin, with a mistake from Heurelho Gomes allowing an ambitious effort from Cristiano Ronaldo to slip through his grasp.
“It was a fantastic experience for everybody and we’ve enjoyed every minute of the adventure.”
Harry Redknapp Quotes of the week
Tottenham, though, have enjoyed a remarkable European adventure this season, which has taken them past the likes of Inter and AC Milan, and Redknapp hopes their exploits will act as an incentive to enjoy such occasions on an annual basis.
“It’s been amazing,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s been a great season. Champions League football, last-eight of the Champions League, we’ve got to push on from here.
“What we have do in the next few years is make sure that Tottenham build a team that can challenge every year and get in the Champions League.
“There is no good doing it once and not doing it again. You have to keep improving.
“You need to tweak your squad to keep doing it. That’s what we want, like Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United do every year. There is no reason why Tottenham can’t do that.”
Spurs had their moments against Real in midweek, but Redknapp is refusing to dwell on three first-half penalty shouts which went against his side.
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Asked if an early spot kick would have changed the course of the game, he said: “It might have done. It was difficult to come here 4-0 down, but I felt we did ever so well.
“It was a good game of football. It was a great night. It was a fantastic experience for everybody and we’ve enjoyed every minute of the adventure.”
The challenge for Spurs now is to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and ensure that they are mixing with the best the continent has to offer again next term.
“They will give it their best shot, but it’s going to be tough,” said Redknapp.
“We have to try and finish above Man City and Chelsea. That’s what we are aiming at and it won’t be easy. We will give it everything we’ve got. We will play some great football, as we always do, and let’s see where it takes us.”