Redknapp: Relegation here to stay

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has branded the suggestion of promotion and relegation in English football being scrapped as scandalous.

The chief executive of the League Managers Association, Richard Bevan, revealed on Monday that many foreign owners of top flight clubs were keen to rid the league of relegation to safeguard their own sides.

Redknapp, who is a major contender for the England managerial position when current incumbent Fabio Capello leaves next summer, finds the idea preposterous and believes it should never be implemented.

“How can you not have promotion and relegation? It’s scandalous,” he told the London Evening Standard.

“What is the league about? When the play-offs first came in in the Championship and the first and second divisions, people said we don’t want the play-offs, but they have been a fantastic thing.”

“It keeps the league going. Years ago, with 10 games to go, the league was over. If you were not going to win the league, be promoted or relegated, then you would switch off, now everyone is fighting for something.”

“It is competition, teams trying to stay up. What is more exciting than the last day of the season when teams are looking to stay up and win the championship?”

“You have to have promotion and relegation.”

Fourteen of the 20 Premier League clubs would have to agree with the idea for it to be put into action, however the FA would have the final word on the matter.

Redknapp is also concerned that too many foreign owners in the top flight could take the football action away from England, with games taking place all over the world.

The former Portsmouth boss added: “You can’t have too many foreign owners coming in here wanting to change our game.”

“Eventually, you will end up playing loads of games around the world. That will happen.”

“They will take the games to where they want to play them. If you have owners from China, India, Russia, America, they will want to take their teams there to play. I can see that will happen.”

“It is a world game so I can see that as a possibility. When you go to Asia now, the support and following is amazing for the Premier League.”