With apparent interest looming from Liverpool, you have to wonder why Tottenham haven’t attempted to tie down manager Harry Redknapp with a new deal yet?
Redknapp only has a year left to run on his current deal and has yet to have the opportunity of managing a big club, so the thought of taking over at Liverpool could be very appealing to him. However he has the potential to further enhance Spurs and at least make them an established top four side.
The Spurs boss is happy at the club and wants to stay, saying:
“I have one year left on my contract at Tottenham and I am not thinking about anything other than being at White Hart Lane next season. I can tell you that I have not been offered a new contract, but that doesn't mean I am looking to move on - far from it.”
He continued: “I am loyal to Spurs, I want to stay at Spurs and I have a contract with Spurs, and I'd be happy to sign a new contract at Spurs if I was offered one, but in any case I have one year on my contract.”
Surely for his achievements Redknapp deserves a new contract. In just a year and a half he took the club from battling relegation to qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. When he was appointed as Spurs manager in October 2008 the team were bereft of confidence and lying in the relegation zone. But his arrival had an immediate impact after just two weeks in charge got them out of the drop zone by securing 10 points out of 12 available. By the end of the season Spurs finished in eighth place, narrowly missing out on a Europa League spot.
This season the side were tipped to do well but the fourth Champions League spot was seen to be contested by Liverpool and Manchester City. However after dismal results put Liverpool out of the running it became a head-to-head battle between Tottenham and City. Eventually Spurs sealed their qualification by beating Manchester City at Eastlands in their penultimate game of the season. Redknapp’s team became the first side to break the top four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool since Everton in 2005.
Having never previously managed in the Champions League, Harry Redknapp will be relishing the opportunity to proudly lead Tottenham into the competition. However he will want to have guarantees about his future in place and the board should fulfil his request. Harry seems to perform miracles at nearly every club he’s been at and Spurs do not want to see their magician walk away.