Redknapp was forced to address rumours he had left Tottenham Hotspur last night, but his future remains unclear.
“No, I haven’t resigned, and I have no idea why it is being suggested that I have resigned.
“This is an outrage; an absolute liberty for people to be putting around this kind of rumour on the internet.
“It is not true, there is not a chance I will resign. Why should I? I have a year left on my contract.”
A strong denial, one which would indicate at face value, that should be the end of the matter. Except…
His contract talks are still ongoing, and this morning’s back pages are full of it.
The Mirror lead with: ‘Harry’s last stand: Levy showdown could see Redknapp leave Spurs’ while the Mail say: ‘Harry’s had it… No new deal for Spurs boss Redknapp as Levy attempts to force him out.’
In his denial he makes it crystal clear that he does not want to leave the club, and there is a real argument that Redknapp deserves a chance to play out the final year of his contract. Except with a year less we are entering a dangerous area.
Players would know the current regime could be ending, and would not fully buy into the project. We saw Spurs’ loss of form when the manager was linked away with England, and that could repeat itself over the course of the season.
Chairman Daniel Levy therefore has a big decision to make, he either gets rid of his manager, or extends his contract. Leaving it as it is simply is not an option.
Letting Redknapp go would begin another managerial merry-go-round, but in a poll on our website last week, Spurs fans voted Redknapp as the man they wanted to see in charge next season.
Spurs have missed the boat on Rodgers and Lambert, but could they tempt Moyes? Then there is also Martinez and Rafa Benitez, as well as the out of work Andre Villas-Boas. All of these have as many pro’s and con’s as Redknapp.
What the club have done so far this summer is get deals in the pipeline for two players, Jan Vertonghen and Loic Remy, but neither have gone through.
Could it be that both players are waiting for the managerial uncertainty to sort itself out? It is highly likely. If Spurs are not careful they will lose out on both players, both of who would dramatically improve their attack and defence.
Emmanuel Adebayor has not signed permanently, and Saha has been released, leaving just Defoe and Dos Santos as first team forwards, neither of who played starring roles last year.
Levy needs to stop dithering and get on with it. Across London Chelsea have been busy signing Marko Marin and Eden Hazard, while Manchester United have already snapped up Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell.
If Spurs are not careful they will blow the Vertonghen deal, with Arsenal and Newcastle both interested, and Remy may decide against a move either, one he is surely still weighing up after the club’s failure to make the Champions League.
It is hard not to believe Redknapp has played a part in either deal, meeting or talking to both as well as Levy, and a new manager will have to start again to convince them they are part of his plans.
The uncertainty is no good for any one, not Levy, not Redknapp, not the current squad, nor potential incoming signings. It is not a scenario supporters will relish either, and it needs to be resolved this week one way or another.
What needs to happen at Spurs? Will they lose out on Vertonghen?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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