Harry axed for being fourth

Posted Thursday, June 14, 2012 by The Sun

SIGN OF THE TIMES ... a young fan's plea back in February

More than £100m has been spent on player transfers in the last four years alone and both Levy and Lewis believe they have failed to get value for their money.

The high-powered pair were not thinking how hard done by Tottenham were when qualification rules took away Champions League football in favour of winners Chelsea — they were screaming ‘Why didn’t we finish second?’

Levy and Lewis wanted to know why Redknapp had not rubber-stamped qualification into Europe’s premier club competition with a higher finish following their huge investment in the squad.

Chelsea’s thrilling win over Bayern put the boot in on Redknapp as much as all the talk about him taking over as England manager after Fabio Capello walked out.

Many in the White Hart Lane boardroom interpreted ’Arry’s flirtation with the Three Lions vacancy as being disloyal, even though the Tottenham manager had never spoken to anyone at the FA.

The movers and shakers at White Hart Lane would have been better pleased if Redknapp had come out and said categorically he did NOT want to run the national team.

What made Redknapp the outstanding England candidate was his unrivalled man-management, his easy-going nature with the media and his deep knowledge of the game.

Speculation that he would be the country’s next boss reached fever pitch when he was found not guilty of tax evasion charges following a high-profile court case in which Tottenham stood by him.

At one time, there was hardly a single person who did not think Redknapp was stitched on for the top post at Wembley.

Tottenham were looking forward to around £8m in compensation from the FA and a nice rounded way of making changes in their manager’s office without too much fuss.

Last night, Levy was not prepared to put up with any fuss at a tense meeting to discuss Redknapp’s position as manager following his demands for a new four-year deal.

And the Spurs supremo asked Redknapp’s two representatives to leave following representations over severance pay. It will likely cost Spurs around £3m in compensation to pay off Redknapp, who is in the final year of his contract.

But the North Londoners are understood to have argued it should be less because he will quickly get another position.

As for replacements, there are plenty of names but the Tottenham board have not made any provision for Redknapp’s successor.

The one thing owner Lewis does crave, though, is a younger manager — who plays attacking “Spurs-like” football.

So step forward one Roberto Martinez who fits the bill and is, according to club contacts, their No 1 choice for the job.

But whoever takes charge of what is undoubtedly one of the best jobs in the Premier League, they know they had better deliver.

If not, that finger will point and the voice will boom again: You’re fired.

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