Redknapp insists he will remain at the club

Redknapp is the nation's overwhelming favourite to succeed Fabio Capello, who resigned as England manager last month, but with another Champions League adventure on the horizon as third-placed Spurs sit 10 points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea, the former Pompey man will have to give this serious thought. Spurs are still very much involved in the title race, despite now standing seven points behind Manchester City, and Redknapp feels that a degree of caution should be taken into account when the formal process to hire Capello's replacement begins. “Whoever they go for, the chances are they’re going to be in a job,’’ said Redknapp. “It’s certainly difficult for people to suddenly walk out of their clubs at this stage of the year, so it probably would make it easier for everyone [if the FA waited].” Spurs' season is brought to an end at Craven Cottage this year on May 13 against Fulham, just under a month before England kick off their Euro 2012 campaign against France, winners in 2000. With a training camp, squad decisions and two friendlies to fit into what is expected to be a busy few weeks, an appointment that close to a major tournament appears fraught with danger. Notwithstanding Redknapp's loyalty to Spurs, it is widely expected that the FA will press ahead to try and snap him up before the conclusion of the Premier League season. Club England officials began the search this week by drawing up a managerial shortlist. “I’ve not had any contact. I’ve just got to concentrate on the job here. We’ve had a great season. I wouldn’t want the players to think: 'Is he going, is he staying?' "I’ve got to be here until the end of the season, whatever happens, that’s for sure. I’ve got to be right to the club. “I owe it to Tottenham to just keep concentrating on the end of the season because there’s so much to play for here. I’ve got to keep letting the players know: ‘This is where we’re at.’ "Sunday’s a big game in the FA Cup against Stevenage. We’ve got some fantastic games coming up — Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea. I’ve got to really focus on that. I couldn’t be looking elsewhere at the moment.’’ It is understood the FA are willing to be flexible as they seek Capello's successor. Two friendlies (v Norway in Oslo and v Belgium at Wembley) have already been lined up just prior to the tournament commencing, but should the new manager wish to change either of these - or an expected training camp at the Marbella Paradise of Football complex - the FA have indicated that those wishes will be accommodated. Meanwhile, Redknapp acknowledges that he is the popular choice to replace Capello. “People come and talk to me — I talk to everybody anyway – so I realise that [a lot of people want me as England manager]. It’s nice but we all know football’s a fickle game. "You lose a couple of games and it’s ‘you don’t what you’re doing’. I don’t think it puts you off but I don’t think you’d go in thinking everybody likes you. “I would like to see an English manager appointed. We’ve been down the other route. Big Phil Scolari nearly had it, didn’t he? "Sometimes you build people up because they are foreign and people think they are better than anybody in England. There’s the passion for it [of an Englishman]. This is your country.” Redknapp is under the impression that whoever leads England out in Donetsk on June 11 will be taking them into what is likely to be a golden generation for this country. Various young talents have emerged in recent seasons, and in players like Joe Hart, Kyle Walker, Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge, it would appear that the core of a potentially successful Three Lions squad is gradually coming together. “There is some real talent in this country at the moment," said Redknapp. "Walker, Wilshere and these [younger] lads. Some of the older players are still top class in my opinion. There is certainly a good group of players but we say that every tournament. That is the problem. “I was the biggest believer in the last World Cup in South Africa that that was our tournament. I go and watch World Cups and European Championships and we go there every year with big expectations but, unfortunately for us, it hasn’t worked out.” Redknapp insists that while confidence is key, resolving issues in the dressing room with problem characters such as John Terry and Ashley Cole is also an absolute must to motivate the whole team. “I’m lucky here. The lads — Scott Parker, Luka Modric, the Gareth Bales, loads of them here – train hard and enjoy what they do for a living. They’ve got agents and the trappings but they still love playing football. “That’s what really motivates them. That’s what they’ve wanted to do since they were little kids and however much they get paid that’s what they do. “It’s football at the highest level and everybody will dream they can win the World Cup. You go there and believe you’re going to do it. "You don’t think ‘we might get a couple of draws and then get knocked out’. Whoever takes it will go there thinking: ‘I’m going to pull this off here.’ You go there hoping and believing you can do something amazing. But winning a World Cup in Brazil’s never been that easy!’’