Harry Redknapp: We Need To Keep Luka Modric

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has insisted that it is key that Spurs don’t sell Luka Modric If they are to break into the top four of the Premier League, the midfielder has been the subject of speculation that Manchester United are keen to secure his services.

Harry Redknapp suggested that is vital Spurs are not seen as a selling club or there chances of qualifying for Champions League football could suffer, Redknapp also added that the White Hart Lane side want to add quality to the team and are not looking to sell there best players.

"For sure we can keep Luka [Modric], he's a special player and we have to keep Luka Modric," Said Redknapp.

"If we sell Luka we are just a selling club basically.
"Manchester United won't sell Wayne Rooney, Chelsea won't go and sell Lampard or Terry and you never hear people talk about them getting sold so why should we sell Luka.
Speaking of the need to improve on last season, he added; "Of course we have got to keep him and add to him - that's the key,"

He also went on to say; "Unless we improve in the summer then you can't expect to be in the Champions League.

"We have to keep improving every year because everybody else is going to improve.

"We just missed out last year, we finished fifth because the four teams in front of us were just a little bit stronger and they are going to get much stronger in the summer.

"So if we don't get stronger then you can't expect to pass them next year, so you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work that one out.

"We need to improve the squad, the team in the summer and get two or three real quality players in.
"If we can do that and keep Luka and Gareth Bale and all them boys we will have a great side again next year."

Redknapp Happy At Spurs

Tottenham Manager Harry Redknapp has all but ruled himself out of the running for the England manager’s job when current boss Fabio Capello steps down after Euro 2012.

Redknapp has insisted that he would be happy to finish off his career at Tottenham, with Spurs having enjoyed success with Harry at the helm, qualifying for UEFA Champions League football at White Hart Lane a feat that had never been achieved by them previously.

Harry says he would be content to stay at Tottenham for the rest of his career.

"Of course I would. For sure, only I don't think that far ahead," he said.

"In this game you just never know. Yeah, it's gone great but I was enjoying my life before and out of the blue suddenly you get a phone call (from Tottenham).

On Leaving Portsmouth, Harry said; "It never entered my mind that I would leave Portsmouth, I was enjoying it there and suddenly you get an offer to come here.

"Whoever thought Sam (Allardyce) would get the sack. It can turn so quickly, half a dozen games and suddenly you don't know what you're doing.

"You go from being the cleverest person in the world to being the biggest idiot in the world. That's how this game works unfortunately."

Ledley King Dilemma

Harry Redknapp is hoping that Ledley King will avoid surgery as he bids to recover his latest injury, King has been out of action since the 2-1 win over Fulham in October when he hobbled off with a groin problem.

King is no stranger to the medical room at Spurs and the injury-jinxed defender is hoping he won't need the operation.

"Ledley is improving and we are hoping he might be back soon," said Redknapp.

"We have got two options for Ledley - we have got a date for a lady to operate on him, she is available on the 23rd of this month so we have really got until then to make a decision.

"He is coming on well and if he feels okay we won't operate.

"But if it needs doing we will have to get him done before then."

FA want Harry Redknapp after 2012

FA would like Redknapp to succeed Capello

The Football Association have put Spurs manager Harry Redknapp at the top of their wanted list, current England manager Fabio Capello has said that he doesn't want to continue past the European Championship 2012 when his contract runs out.

It has been no secret that Harry Redknapp would be the FA's ideal replacement to succeed Capello and Redknapp’s success over the last two seasons have improved his chances, having seen Spurs claim fourth place in Premier League last season, qualifying for Champions League football and beating current Champions League holders Inter Milan, both home and away advancing to the second phase of the tournament.

"Harry Redknapp is a great manager," said the FA's general secretary, Alex Horne.

"Tottenham are playing great football and to qualify for the Champions League (knockout stage) from a position of being fourth favourites in the group is huge testimony to that. I would expect Harry to make a long-list (for the England job). It may not be a very long long-list."

Horne said nothing has been discussed in regards to appointing the successor to Capello,

"He's there until 2012, which gives me 18, 19 months to prepare for that process. It is not a policy decision that (the contenders) would be English. It is an absolute preference for certain individuals. It is not yet a board policy decision," said Horne.

"We thought about this long and hard when we got Fabio Capello. We got the right man for the job and that is what we will do again."

After England’s World Cup humiliation in South Africa, Club England's managing director, Adrian Bevington, strongly suggested the next manager would be English.

Bevington, who is overseeing a review as to what went wrong at the 2010 World Cup, said: "I think the English team should be managed by an English manager."

However, Horne told the BBC that was not set in stone: "It is not a policy decision that they will definitely be English. I will be finalising the selection-process criteria during the first few months of next year for internal discussion."

Redknapp has already said this year that he would take the job if offered, when Capello steps down.

"People will always take it because, if you're English, it's the pinnacle of your career if you're in management," said Redknapp, whose credentials have been enhanced by Spurs' performances.

Gareth Bale Unfazed by Speculation

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has insisted that Welsh Wizard Gareth Bale is an integral part of the squad and it would take a massive offer to tempt him away from White Hart Lane, a whole host of top European clubs have been looking at Gareth ever since his trouncing of Brazilian full-back Maicon in the two Champions League encounters with Inter Milan.

The likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid being linked to the Spurs star, but Gareth will not be distracted according to the Spurs boss.

"If someone comes in and offers something crazy you never know do you?"

"But he is certainly not a player we want to sell. We are looking to build a team and he is a massive part of that."

"No, I wouldn't have to do that with him because nothing would turn his head because he is such a level-headed, down-to-earth kid it wouldn't change him at all."  

Eidur Gudjohnsen to join Stoke

Eidur Gudjohnsen has joined Stoke City on a permanent deal, the Monaco striker, no stranger to the Premier League having played for Bolton, Spurs and Chelsea will get another spell in England with Stoke City. Talks were underway yesterday to beat the transfer deadline and manager Tony Pulis was seen showing Eidur around the training ground.

Also today Stoke City managed to sign Jermaine Pennant right on the deadline at six o'clock beating off competition from Ajax.

Spurs sign Pletikosa on loan

The Croatia goalkeeper, 31, began his career with Hajduk Split and was a member of their league championship winning side of 2001.

He also lifted two Croatian Cups during more than 172 appearances for his hometown club and scored six goals from the penalty spot. His performances during the 2001/02 campaign earned him the Croatian Player of the Year accolade.

Pletikosa moved to Spartak in 2007, following four years with Shakhtar Donetsk, and appeared against us in our UEFA Cup Group match in December 2008 at White Hart Lane.

Capped at every international level from Under-15 upwards, Pletikosa has gone on to win 80 caps for the senior national side including appearing in the World Cup Finals of 2002 and 2006 and the 2008 European Championships.