In the past, England managers have always had one major problem: they are affected too much by off-field controversy and subsequently the team plays poorly.

When Harry Redknapp led his Tottenham side to a 5-0 demolition of current sixth-placers Newcastle United yesterday whilst under the media’s spotlight regarding the England job, he showed us he is different.

Redknapp acted professionally and did not allow all the hype and talk of him leading his country in Euro 2012 to influence his team’s performance.

In many ways, Tottenham are similar to England; no-one has ever questioned the potential for glory however the team has sometimes struggled to deliver.

What England need is a manager who can leave controversy at the door and manage the team on the merits of the players at his disposal.

If England can stop focusing on absurd things like off-field fights and scandals and return to grass-roots football then there is simply no telling how well they can do in the coming months.

Harry Redknapp is also a man of his word. Throughout Fabio Capello’s reign, he (correctly) stated that no player would be selected if they were not playing regularly for their club and playing well*.

Contrary to this, Wayne Rooney played almost every minute in South Africa despite the fact he was not a threat, was dropping too deep and allowing his frustration to get the better of him.

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England need someone who can deal with people, and realistically Redknapp knows the goings-on of the English game better than anyone.

Looking at the English core of his current team—Defoe, Parker, Huddlestone, Lennon, King and Dawson—Redknapp is surely a good choice.

Redknapp also has proven ability as we saw at Portsmouth with his winning of the FA cup and current guiding of Tottenham from the lower rungs of the ladder to an impressive third.

Overall, critics would have a hard time finding fault with Redknapp. He is English, he has been around a long time, he has a proven track-record and most importantly he knows how to manage both people and football.

The latter is so important. Every great team needs a balance of personal management and people management, and Harry Redknapp bridges this gap.

The only downside to Redknapp taking over as England manager would be for Tottenham.

They have evolved so much under Redknapp to the point that they are even considered the dark horse for this year’s Premier League.

Whatever the outcome, it is about time England had a manager who could do them justice both on and off the field.  

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