Hoops told ‘make your move’ as Harry weighs up Ukraine

Posted Wednesday, November 21, 2012 by The Sun

HARRY REDKNAPP is seriously considering a mega-bucks deal to manage Ukraine — piling the pressure on QPR to make him an offer.

The Ukrainians are ready to hand Redknapp a contract worth a minimum £6million with hefty bonuses on top. But the former Spurs boss is also favourite to take over at QPR if they axe Mark Hughes.

The Hoops hope the prospect of a job in London will appeal to the 65-year-old.
Rangers are four points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League without a win in 12 games.

Ukraine will pull out all the stops to land their man. So Rangers know they must make a quick decision on Hughes’ future.

Redknapp’s representatives are already in talks with Ukrainian top brass and he is said to be genuinely tempted.

It would pit him against England — who snubbed him in favour of Roy Hodgson — in the battle for World Cup qualification.

Former Chelsea striker and Ukraine legend Andriy Shevchenko recently turned down the chance to manage his country.

So the Ukraine FA turned their attention to Redknapp.

A UFF statement revealed it had taken “the decision to begin talks with Redknapp’s representatives relating to him working in the post of chief coach of the national team”.

Former Arsenal defender Oleg Luzhny, now boss of Tavriya Simferopol, was one of two Ukraine Premier League coaches to recommend Redknapp.

Other managers also suggested getting an English head coach, knowing they would have inside knowledge of Ukraine’s rivals in the battle for a place at Brazil 2014.

Mykhailo Fomenko, chair of UFF’s national team committee, said: “Redknapp would have great authority among our players.

“In every club where Redknapp has worked he has increased the quality of football in a very short time. He is one of the best coaches in England.”

Ukraine have just two points from three qualifiers.

Frank Lampard’s late penalty denied them a win at Wembley in September.
Oleg Blokhin quit to take over at Dynamo Kiev a few weeks later.