All roads pointing to Harry Redknapp but beware fast-track to failure

Last Wednesday, West London Magistrates' Court announced a July court date for John Terry's racially aggravated public order charge to begin a cataclysmic chain of events that ended in Fabio Capello's resignation last night.

Redknapp's acquittal at Southwark Crown Court only enhanced the notion that change was in the air and the perfect storm created by two separate and seismic decisions appears destined to provide one outcome.

'Redknapp for England', is the popular choice. It is the critics' choice and it may well be the Football Association's choice.

The clamour to denounce Capello as a moron whose time was long overdue is unsavoury schadenfreude towards a hugely successful manager who ultimately proved incompatible with the task before him. The answer is at hand, they cry.

All roads point to Redknapp. Those punters backing the 64-year-old to be the next manager almost certainly have a winning ticket but the desire to appoint him immediately is hasty.

The FA have been criticised for many things but the process of selecting new managers has rarely been among the organisation's finest moments. The embarrassment over the pursuit of Luiz Felipe Scolari lingers in the memory, while Martin O'Neill ruled himself out of the running last night partly because the frustration and disrespect he suffered during the interview process back in 2006.

Redknapp and England appear a perfect match but rarely in football are such matters straightforward. It is the cyclical nature of the beast that the weaknesses in a predecessor are the likely incumbent's strengths. Capello was a poor communicator, too distant with the players - Redknapp is the antithesis.

Steve McClaren was too chummy with the players, lacking the pedigree and authority to instil the requisite discipline. Capello won Serie A titles with three different clubs, La Liga titles with Real Madrid and a European Cup with Milan while earning a reputation as a strict disciplinarian.
Sven-Goran Eriksson was too cold and placid and ultimately flirted with other jobs to prove a lack of interest whereas McClaren was English and considered the players' closest confidante.

Kevin Keegan was a powerful motivator but tactically naïve and failed to show the ability to handle the pressure of such a tough job. Eriksson was the ice-cool operator with a tactical sophistication enhanced from our perspective by becoming the first foreign manager ever to take charge of England.

And so it goes on. The point is that Redknapp appears a perfect fit for the here and now but for how long will that be the case? Other candidates exist.

The FA must consider this and if they conclude that, as far as is possible to know at this stage, Redknapp has the best credentials for the job and is willing to accept it on their terms, then he must be approached.

Spurs will do their utmost to convince Redknapp to stay and it is clear he has been moved by the support shown to him by the club. Redknapp has admitted the job would be hard for him to turn down but when he concluded his post-verdict address yesterday by exclaiming: "I'll just be glad to get away from all this", he could barely be heard above the media scrum and snaps of the paparazzi.

That scrutiny will intensify again and Redknapp may ponder whether he wants the hassle. The John Terry question must also be answered. Redknapp would perhaps find himself compromised by omitting Terry altogether given his close relationship with Frank Lampard, who is Redknapp's nephew.

The England dressing room is divided and whoever takes over has a huge task. It will require a manager to have an intangible quality - Capello had a fine club record and worldwide respect. It was not enough. He had the highest win percentage of any England manager. It was not enough.

He instilled discipline and quashed the internal hierarchy that had stagnated performances under McClaren. It was not enough.

An England manager has to keep things fresh and interesting with an even distribution of responsibility and respect among a highly-strung group of players fearful of criticism and scarred by past failures.

Redknapp will have seen the way the England job chewed up Capello's reputation and spat him out with ruthless disregard and wonder if he is happy to lay it all on the line.

The options facing Harry if he...

Takes the job now
It would be very hard for Harry Redknapp to turn his back on Tottenham and take the helm straight away. Leaving aside Daniel Levy's opposition, Redknapp would find it difficult to leave the team he has built, who have a chance of winning the club's first championship since 1961. The Football Association would certainly have to pay a great deal in compensation, something they may feel loathe to do after spending a fortune on Fabio Capello for so little return.

Becomes a consultant
England have just one friendly, against Holland on February 29, between now and the end of the season so an immediate appointment would be desirable. But Redknapp's role as Tottenham manager will allow him to see most of the England squad in action for their clubs anyway and the likes of Stuart Pearce and Gareth Southgate are more than capable of overseeing things for one match, particularly when the squad virtually picks itself. It would have minimal impact on what he is trying to achieve with Spurs and there are two friendlies before the Euros - against Norway and Belgium for him to make his mark.

Appointed after Euro 2012
Redknapp may not want any distractions as he tries to maintain Tottenham's hopes of winning the title and would certainly not like to see them slip out of the top four after all the hard work he has done. There are a few big names available like Guus Hiddink who are used to leading teams for a major tournament and could fulfil the role in a caretaker capacity until England return from Poland and Ukraine. Redknapp may prefer starting with a clean slate for the World Cup qualifiers, rather than risking his reputation if they suffer an early exit from Euro 2012.
 
Turns it down
It will be very tempting for the 64-year-old to ignore the lure of his country now that he has built Spurs into a major force. With a bit more investment in the summer, they could make an even stronger challenge for the title next term and they are bound to be in the Champions League again.
Simon Johnson