Redknapp: Curbishley and Allardyce are traitors for turning down England

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Redknapp dismissed his own chances of receiving a call from the FA but claimed an Englishman who turned down the offer to manage his country would be "almost a traitor".

Scroll down to read more:

Hiding to nothing: Curbishley ruled himself out of managing England and is called a traitor by ex-West Ham boss Redknapp

And he suggested the only reason West Ham manager Curbishley and Newcastle boss Allardyce had declined to enter the race was that they did not think they could win it.

The FA will begin their search in earnest this week when chief executive Brian Barwick returns from attending today's 2010 World Cup qualifying draw in South Africa.

Redknapp, speaking after his own credentials had been enhanced by Portsmouth's 2-0 win at Birmingham, said: "Some people have come out this week and said they don't want the job.

"Let's be honest, lads, if you're an Englishman and in the Premier League and they offer you it, I don't think anyone's going to say No. How can you turn it down, the chance to manage your country?

"People may rule themselves out of it because they don't think they're going to get it. To manage in the Premier League is a dream; to manage your country is an even greater dream.

"You'd almost have to be a traitor to turn it down."

Both Curbishley and Allardyce were interviewed when the FA were seeking a replacement for Sven Goran Eriksson, but Allardyce's stock, in particular, has slipped in the last 18 months.

During yesterday's dismal 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool, the Newcastle fans were singing an ironic chant of "Big Sam for England".

Redknapp, the highestplaced English manager in the Premier League, declined to sing his own praises but believes whoever does get the job has good enough players to revive the national team.

"It's nice for some people to say I'd be good, but I don't ever see it happening, to be honest," he said. "I don't think I've got a prayer and I'm not going to lose sleep over it. There's so many people out there, your Fabio Capellos and so on. The FA will take their time to find the right person.

"I still think England have the players — Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand.

"When you've got quality like we've got, of course you can make them play. Hopefully we will realise their potential."