Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Redknapp Should Embrace the Europa League

Tottenham’s inconsistency in the Premier League last season resulted in a fifth-place finish and a spot in the UEFA Europa League. Missing out on the Champions League was obviously not part of the plan, but is the Champions League all that matters? This Spurs supporter thinks not.

Most of the recent comments made by Harry Redknapp that allude to the club’s participation in the Europa League have been negative. Terms like “nuisance” have been bandied about on a regular basis, very much giving the impression that he would rather they weren’t in the competition at all. He has indicated, on numerous occasions, that youth will be given a chance in the competition and the club’s “stars” will be rested. But why? 

Admittedly, the glory of the Europa League cannot compare to that of the Champions League, and neither can the potential revenue. However, isn’t this a great opportunity for Spurs to win a prestigious trophy? And isn’t that what football is about? 

Fans’ interest in the financial runnings of their club vary, but even those who claim to know the inner workings of football finances know that, ultimately, from a fan viewpoint, as long as it translates to success on the pitch, it doesn’t really matter. When a fan looks back on a club’s honours list, he or she isn’t interested in the profits the club made, or even the league position year on year. They are interested in what the club won. 

If, under Redknapp and the next manager, the Spurs continue to aim solely for that top four, what realistic prospect is there of adding to the trophy cabinet? Whether or not they actually achieve that aim, there seems little hope of Spurs lifting a trophy any time soon while the infatuation with the Champions League continues. 

Last season’s run to the quarterfinals was indeed glorious, but ended rather ingloriously. Any realistic Spurs fan will admit that even with major investment, the club won’t be winning the Champions League next season if they do manage to qualify. 

So, what does that leave us with? It leaves us with an opportunity to lift a fourth major European trophy of the club’s history. So I say Redknapp and Spurs should go all-out to win the Europa League, no matter the cost.

And if that cost equates to Champions League qualification, then so be it.