Harry Redknapp Should Stick with Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Redknapp’s career is akin to a game of blackjack.

Sitting with hand of 15, Redknapp is in a difficult position.

He could twist with England. If he pulls it off, he will become a national hero. Bust and he’ll become another England cast-off.

Or, he could stick with Tottenham and continue his success whilst watching England bust. However, with a new generation on the horizon it could be a wonderful opportunity to manage England wasted.

There’s no opt-out option for Redknapp; it’s one or the other.

It would be an unpopular choice, but waving away the dealer—Football Association chairman David Bernstein—and sticking, is the decision Redknapp must take.

What the 64-year-old has achieved with Tottenham so far, is, in the words of Bernstein, “amazing.”

Under Redknapp's leadership, Spurs have been transformed from perennial underachievers to a European force in just three years.

His team are on the verge of something special—playing a brand of attacking football adored in England and looking likely to reach the Champions League for the second time. A serious mount for the Premier League title will be expected at the start of next season, too.

Leaving now would be a mistake.

However, there are those that question how much further he can really take the club.

Much further would be the simplest answer.

Daniel Levy, Tottenham chairman, has been stockpiling cash ever since speculation linking Redknapp to the England job began.

The tax evasion charges case also persuaded Levy to sit tight. But, after Redknapp was found not guilty, the future seems a lot clearer.

If he can now resist the FA’s approaches and commit to Spurs, then Levy will repay him in the transfer window—an intelligent move on two counts.

Firstly, Redknapp would be a kid in a candy shop, with sweets such as Lille’s Eden Hazard, Ajax’s Jan Vertonghen and Marseille’s Loic Remy all loved by the Englishman. They would be well within reach.

Secondly, Levy would be playing a psychology card— something that says to Redknapp, “Look, you don’t get this in international management and I know you’ll miss it.”

The England job does, understandably, have its appeal to Redknapp. He probably knows that he could get a lot more out of those players and would embrace the media spotlight, unlike previous England managers.

But, we all know how things start so sweet and end so sour in the England hot seat.

And that is the problem for Redknapp—a couple of poor major tournaments and opinions will dramatically change. Those newspapers that had been so supportive of his appointment will suddenly be calling for his head.

No doubt, Redknapp’s reputation will be completely tarnished.

Take Fabio Capello. He is a man who has arguably a far more impressive CV than Redknapp, yet he is seen as a failure despite having the best win percentage of any England manager since 1945.

You just can’t win with England.

At Spurs, however, Redknapp has unwavering support from all corners of White Hart Lane.

The board gave their full backing to him in the tax evasion court case, the players have spoken of their delight with Redknapp’s management and the fans told him on Saturday against Newcastle United that they want him to stay.

He’s become the heartbeat of the North London club. Walking out, after such unequivocal support, could totally undermine his period at Spurs.

At Wembley, meanwhile, the England team is set for a transitional period. But, does Redknapp really suit this new direction the Three Lions are headed in?

A manager who believes in leaders and values experience, the so-called ‘Golden Generation,’ may be spared one last chance under Redknapp. The likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch, whose England careers appear to be ticking towards their end, could be revived to the disappointment of England fans.

International management is worlds apart from club management, too.

Redknapp is known to enjoy the day-to-day running of a football club. With England, he’ll be frustrated by the monthly meet-ups and time spent away from the training ground.

Redknapp’s decision is his most important across his 29-year managerial career.

Sticking with Spurs or twisting with England. That's the options. The latter has more of a chance to backfire, and that is true of blackjack.

As professional gambler Nick Dandalos once said, “The house doesn’t beat the player. It just gives him the opportunity to beat himself.”