Comolli hits back after Redknapp rant

Comolli sanctioned £170million spending on players during his three years as sporting director, but the make-up of the squad was recently rubbished by current boss Redknapp.

He described it as "a mish-mash" after Spurs narrowly avoided humiliation in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Burnley - while the club have also struggled to pull away from the relegation zone.

Redknapp's desperation to strengthen the team has led him to try to bring back Robbie Keane, with reports today suggesting Liverpool are ready to report Spurs to the Premier League for allegedly tapping-up the Irishman.

Tottenham's pursuit of Keane looks doomed as Liverpool want a straight cash deal for the 28-year-old, who cost them £20.3m.

But Comolli pointed to Spurs's achievement in reaching two successive Carling Cup Finals as proof of the quality that is in the squad - and mocked some of the deals manager Redknapp has done in the past.

Comolli said: "Not many clubs outside the top four get to two cup finals in two seasons. I think that the quality is there.

"At Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp spent £6m on signing David Nugent from Preston, but he hardly ever played for him."

Comolli also claimed Redknapp had taken Didier Zokora on trial while the manager of Portsmouth but had rejected the Ivory Coast international.

"Zokora now plays virtually every game in midfield for Spurs, so it is a question of timing," the Frenchman added.

Comolli's departure in October, along with that of former coach Juande Ramos and his staff, saw Spurs chairman Daniel Levy abandon the much-criticised director of football system, with Redknapp now in sole charge of coaching and transfers.

But Comolli defended the system, insisting it remained the best way of achieving success.
"AC Milan have been one of the most successful clubs in the world over the past two decades," Comolli, who is now sporting director at French club St Etienne, told Sky Sports News.

"Coaches and players have come and gone during that time, but they have kept on winning with the director of football system, which proves it works very well."

Keane's future is still unresolved but he will be back in the Liverpool squad for Sunday's game at Anfield with Chelsea. It has become a must-win game for manager Rafael Benitez who is under pressure following another draw at Wigan on Wednesday.