Gregory Believes Redknapp Can Revive England
Is Harry Redknapp the best Englishman available to manage England? Former Queen's Park Rangers, Derby County and Aston Villa boss John Gregory thinks he is.
John Gregory believes Harry Redknapp is the right man to revive England's flagging fortunes.
Portsmouth manager Redknapp has already revealed that he would like the opportunity to coach the national team, and Gregory feels he is the strongest English candidate in the frame to succeed sacked Steve McClaren.
Gregory, who managed Aston Villa and Derby himself, said: "I'd like England's next coach to be Harry Redknapp.
"Harry's performed minor miracles, firstly at West Ham without spending any serious money, and now at Portsmouth.
"He's transformed Pompey from top to bottom.
"And he got them out of the Championship by building one of the most entertaining and productive sides in that league.
"They won games, kept clean sheets and were entertaining — and he's done exactly the same in the Premier League.
"Harry's bought players in, but he's not spent anywhere near the money that the likes of Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham have.
"He's got the best out of people and Portsmouth always play entertaining football.
"Harry's built a decent side on a very low budget and I think he would be the ideal choice if the FA decide to appoint an Englishman."
Jose Mourinho has been mentioned as an ideal candidate, but Gregory believes Redknapp, 60, has more relevant experience for the England role.
He said: "Harry's old enough and I think the job is for an experienced manager.
"We need someone who has been around the game for a long, long time and isn't going to get upset if the media turn on him.
"Harry can deal with all that and has done it plenty of times in the past.
"He's an ideal media man and a realist. Harry's not up his own backside and is very down to earth.
"Everybody loves him and his barrow-boy image doesn't do him any harm at all.
"He's a normal guy off the street and is the kind of person you can imagine having a pint with the England fans.
"Harry would make an excellent England coach."
