Hoddle backs Redknapp for England

Former England and Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle has tipped the English FA to get a prized recruit for the top job.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has been in the FA’s sights since Fabio Capello’s resignation in early February and Hoddle believes the 65-year-old will be the man to lead England at this year’s European Championships.

The FA have left the door open with no formal candidates announced, ensuring intense speculation linking Redknapp to the role continues to grow.

“I think Harry’s done at the end of the season personally,” Hoddle said.

“Tottenham won’t want to lose him, but if the FA want to go and get him I think that eventually he’ll be their man and Harry will go and take England to the Euros, that’s what my belief is, and I think he’ll do a good job.”

“The FA have been making sure they keep the door open, saying they’re not adverse to a foreign manager or anyone else.”

“Everyone seems to think they want to go English, but we’ll see. My gut feeling is that Harry will take the job.”

Hoddle also threw his weight behind caretaker Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo’s bid for the full time job following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas on the weekend.

“I know Roberto (Di Matteo) and I wish him all the very best. He’s got an opportunity now, and that’s all you can ask for, and he’s in pole position.”

“It starts tonight I think at Birmingham- if he wins the FA Cup and turns around the (Champions League) tie against Napoli then (Chelsea) go through and get in the final then that can happen, that’s football, that’s the beauty of the game.”

“Depends where they want to look, if they want to go foreign … I was the last English manager to manage at the club which is amazing, when you think about it. But that’s been there policy at the moment and who knows, if they change it they might find some success.”

Asked if he read into rumours Jose Mourinho could return for a second stint at Stamford Bridge, Hoddle said stranger things had happened.

“It’s not impossible, nothing is impossible in football, absolutely not. He’s making signs and signals that he might want to get out of Madrid and whatever,” he said.