Tottenham Hotspur: Life without Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane

So where did it all go wrong for Redknapp? Things were looking tremendously peachy half way through the 2011/12 domestic season. Tottenham were playing some wonderful football, and had played their way into being a genuine challenger for the Premier League title, and a Champions League place next season. They really looked as if they had closed the gap on the rest of the title contenders in the EPL, but things started going downhill when England manger Fabio Capello left his post in the national side. Why did this influence so much on proceedings at White Hart Lane? Because Harry Redknapp was the man that England fans wanted. He was the one that pundits believed would be the best option for England. After guiding Tottenham into their first Champions League campaign back in 2010, and with the wonderful style and conviction with which Spurs were playing football over the first half of last season, and, because he was English, Redknapp was the natural successor.

He was the one though that the English FA overlooked for the job of England manager. But the rumours of Redknapp being selected as the national manager were flying around, and with the FA’s reluctance to state a decision either way, Spurs’ form spiralled out of control, winning just four of their 13 Premier League matches. Spurs’ decline coincided with Redknapp being linked with the England job. So it ended up being a difficult Jekyll and Hyde season for Tottenham fans to suffer through, but they did make it into fourth place in the end of the season, a position which would normally have secured Champions League football. However, because Chelsea, who finished sixth in the Premier League beat Bayern Munich in the final of this year’s tournament, it was they who took the spot in next year’s competition at Tottenham’s expense. So no silverware, no Champions League football to look forward to, and now no manager.

So it was a bitter blow for Spurs, and what is likely to happen next? Clearly there was a clash between Redknapp and Levy, and now the latter has to look for a new manager. Ironically, could it be Fabio Capello who walks in to take over at White Hart Lane? The former England manager has stated a desire to coach in the Premier League, and would only be interested in joining a big club. A title contender. He would make a natural target for Spurs to go after, because he has won titles all across Europe throughout his managerial career. So from Harry Redknapp being installed as the favourite to replace Capello, the shoe may now be on the other foot. Capello could be the favourite to replace Redknapp at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp will be a man in demand by other clubs, no doubt. He won’t have any trouble finding work if he wants it. The question Spurs fans want answered, is will their stars be heading out of the door behind him? The likes of Tottenham’s star players, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, where do they stand? Croatian midfield star Modric has always wanted away to play a higher level of football, while the highly coveted Welsh winger Bale stated that his future at the club would be undecided if Spurs failed to make Champions League football. So a transition time for Spurs, and it may not just be with the managerial position.