Harry Redknapp Not Leaving Spurs, Neither Are Champions League Hopes

Tottenham took Wednesday night as an opportunity to show that they were back, defeating Bolton 4-1 very, very convincingly. Spurs held the ball for 55 percent of possession, allowed just two shots on goal in the second half and dominated relegation-threatened Bolton.

That was Wednesday night. The day prior, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp learns he's been passed over for the England job.

Is it a coincidence the day after Redknapp learns he's not coaching England his Spurs go out and win in this kind of fashion? It wasn't just a victory that fans at White Hart Lane were treated to. It was a demolition, an homage to the winter months of Spurs' season.

All the key actors were involved in Wednesday's show—Rafael Van Der Vaart was finding himself in the right place at the right time, Luka Modric was in three places at once and directing traffic in the midfield as though it was as simple as a chess match.

Emmanuel Adebayor was taking his basketball player frame and physically punishing any opposing defenders who stood in his wake, and Gareth Bale seemed to get faster as the match went on, sprinting up the left sideline, hungering to get himself on the scoreline. 

It looked like the Tottenham team that was second on the league table as recently as eight weeks ago. They were loose, relaxed, all smiles and never went too long without a quick encouragement for a pinpoint pass or a hug to celebrate a goal scored.

In short, they were the same Spurs team that gave their fans legitimate title hopes for the first time in 40 years.

Now, there's a lot of reasons for Tottenham's most dominant performance in a league match all season. For one, Bolton is, well, Bolton.

The Wanderers, having lost their best defender when Gary Cahill signed with Chelsea in January, give up an average of 2.1 goals per match through 36 games. Not exactly top quality.

Might I suggest another reason for Tottenham's recent dominance in a 4-1 win over Bolton and a 2-0 win over Blackburn?

Tottenham players know Harry Redknapp isn't leaving White Hart Lane to coach the Three Lions of England.

Perhaps Kyle Walker isn't playing with the pressure of impressing his potential future manager if he is selected for England's senior squad?

Maybe Gareth Bale is more comfortable staying at a club if the manager who introduced him to the top flight of English football is still there? 

Perhaps youngsters like Aaron Lennon are given a boost when there's a much greater possibility of the manager who has given them incoming managers might not. 

Could it be that veterans like Rafael Van Der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor are finally lifted of the burden of having to answer distracting questions like, "Is Harry Redknapp leaving?" and "Will his going to England affect your decision to stay at Tottenham?"

There's a number of reasons for Spurs' ascension in form the last two matches. Weaker opponents is certainly one. But let's not be too hasty to write off managerial stability. These players are people too, not the video game characters we reduce them down to so often.

Harry Redknapp is staying put. So are Tottenham's Champions League hopes.