Sven backs Harry Redknapp for England manager

Harry Redknapp would be the perfect fit as the next England manager, according to former national team boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Redknapp’s chances of replacing Fabio Capello in the country’s top managerial job were improved on Wednesday when the 64-year-old, currently in charge of Premier League title hopefuls Tottenham, was cleared of all tax evasion charges after a high-profile court case involving him and former chairman Milan Mandaric.

Eriksson held the role of England manager, which Capello will vacate this summer, between 2001 and 2006, and he believes that Redknapp has everything the Football Association will be looking for.

He said: “I think Redknapp will be a very, very good choice. He’s English; he knows his football.

“He is doing a great job with Tottenham and has done a great job with every team he’s had in the past, so I guess it will be him.

“You need to be an experienced manager used to dealing with the big names and some knowledge about international football would help. I think Harry has all these things.”

Redknapp has worked his way into the position as the bookmakers’ favourite, having started out managing Bournemouth before spells with West Ham, Portsmouth (twice) and Southampton.

His Tottenham side are currently seven points behind league leaders Manchester City.