Harry Redknapp believes the Premier League is hurtling to a world of blanket billionaires in which young English managers have no presence.

The Tottenham boss began his career with 10 years in the lower divisions at Bournemouth but insists that 'learn your trade' route has been closed to the managers of the future.

Redknapp said: "Six or seven bad results and you're coming under pressure. The younger managers don't get the opportunity.

"Soon as you have a bad spell they're out of work. We've got so many talented young managers and coaches in this country and they have to be given the opportunity but it's not fashionable.

"It's getting more difficult for the younger lads in this country to work their way up the ladder.

"Ten years at Bournemouth was great grounding for me. There are lads in the lower divisions here who have got great talent but probably won't get that opportunity because they are not fashionable names.

"These owners would rather bring some fashionable name from abroad, Spain or Italy, and give them a chance.

"It will hinder the chances of the lads in this country. There's nothing like learning your trade lower down."

Redknapp was speaking at the inaugural dinner of the League Managers' Association Hall of Fame 1000 club, celebrating the 18 men to have managed more than 1,000 domestic league or cup matches.

Redknapp has clocked up 1,134 matches at Bournemouth, West Ham, Portsmouth (twice), Southampton and Tottenham.

But he paints a gloomy picture of the Premier League's future, which already boasts wealthy owners from America, China, Russia and the Middle East.

He said: "There are going to be more and more foreign owners come into the top division. We'll end up with a league of billionaires, all winners in what they do in life and all wanting to win. But we can't all win.

"There's going to be a champion, cup winners and Champions League teams and owners won't understand why they are investing mega-money and why they can't be number one. Those owners can't accept not winning."

Redknapp, whose Tottenham side currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League, believes this is the year for one of the smaller clubs to break into the top four but predicts there will be little change at the summit itself.

He said: "Liverpool have it all to do and Manchester City, Aston Villa, ourselves and Everton are going to be pushing to get into European places.

"One of us could break in this year but the champions will come from Manchester United or Chelsea."