‘I’ll be truthful’: Manager says he’d easily win the Europa League if he was in charge of Tottenham now
Ange Postecoglou is facing mounting pressure at Tottenham Hotspur, and former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has not been shy about expressing his interest in the role.
Redknapp, who managed Tottenham from 2008 to 2012, recently criticized Postecoglou’s decision to appoint Heung-Min Son as captain at the start of the season. Now, he has gone a step further, claiming that he could easily guide the current Spurs squad to Europa League glory if given the chance.
Speaking on We Are Tottenham TV, Redknapp confidently stated that he would win the Europa League with this Tottenham team, downplaying the competition’s difficulty compared to the Champions League.
“Listen, if I can’t win the Europa League, we are in trouble, really, I’ll be truthful. It’s not the Champions League, is it? That football last week, watching PSG and Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, you can’t beat that,” Redknapp said.
The 78-year-old, who admitted he prefers spending Saturdays at horse racing events like Newbury or Cheltenham, joked about managing Spurs on Sundays instead. “Luckily, we only play Sundays anyway,” the host quipped, to which Redknapp responded with his trademark humor and confidence.
Redknapp’s bold claim comes despite his mixed record in European competitions during his managerial career. While he led Tottenham to the Champions League quarter-finals in the 2010-11 season, his overall record in European tournaments leaves much to be desired.
Across 28 games in both the Champions League and Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup), Redknapp managed 12 wins, 8 draws, and 8 losses. His best performance in the Europa League/UEFA Cup was reaching the third round, a far cry from the trophy-winning success he now claims he could achieve with Spurs.
Despite his advancing age and time away from the dugout, Redknapp remains confident in his abilities. “Listen, I’m ready,” he declared, reiterating his willingness to take the Tottenham job if offered.
While his enthusiasm is undeniable, his track record in Europe suggests that winning the Europa League would be no easy feat, even for a manager of his experience.
For Tottenham, the Europa League represents their last chance to salvage something from a disappointing season. Postecoglou’s side has struggled in the Premier League, currently sitting in 14th place and well adrift of the European qualification spots.
However, their draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals offers a glimmer of hope. Frankfurt have been inconsistent this season, and Spurs will fancy their chances of progressing to the semi-finals.
Winning the Europa League would not only end Tottenham’s long wait for silverware but also secure a place in next season’s Champions League. For Postecoglou, it could be the lifeline he needs to keep his job.
However, the pressure is mounting, and the club’s hierarchy is reportedly considering alternatives, including Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Fulham’s Marco Silva, and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Redknapp’s comments, while entertaining, highlight the growing scrutiny surrounding Postecoglou’s tenure. Whether the Australian can turn things around remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Europa League is now the focal point of Tottenham’s season.
As the quarter-finals approach, all eyes will be on Postecoglou and his team to see if they can rise to the occasion and keep their dreams of silverware alive.
For Redknapp, the prospect of managing Spurs again may be little more than a nostalgic fantasy, but his confidence serves as a reminder of the high expectations that come with leading one of England’s most storied clubs.