Harry Redknapp emerged as favourite for the Republic of Ireland job last night, less than 24 hours after parting company with Tottenham Hotspur.
Republic of Ireland were the first team to be eliminated from the European Championships, following defeats to Croatia (1-3) and defending champions Spain (0-4). If Giovanni Trapattoni walks or is sacked before Mondays final match v Italy, Redknapp is available and ready to fly in at two hours notice, direct from the golf course.
The phrase 'luck of the Irish' could not be more apt for Harry. When at Portsmouth he was received a bonus of almost £200,000 by the chairman Milan Manderic, paid into a Monaco bank account in the name of his dog Rosie. Both men were later arrested on tax evasion charges, but subsequently acquitted in February of this year, and the same night H' was installed as favourite for the England job when Fabio Capello resigned over the John Terry captaincy issue.
The speculation led to a collapse in Tottenham's form and they surrendered a 10 point lead over local rivals Arsenal for third place in the Premier League. Spurs did manage to finish fourth but cruelly missed out on a Champions League spot when fifth placed Chelsea won the Champions league beating Bayern Munich in Munich on penalties after not previously being ahead in the 120 minutes or penalty kicks.
To add insult to injury, the FA appointed Roy Hodgson as England manager, without officially approaching the spurs boss. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy decided not to extend Redknapp's contract and parted company with him on Wednesday night, stating the failure to qualify for the Champions League.
The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton boss has already picked up work at the Euro's for the BBC and Betfair, but now looks likely to be sure to get a chance to manage on the international stage for the first time.
