Redknapp rules out dual role

Harry Redknapp has ruled out the prospect of combining managing Tottenham and England, but says he is flattered to be linked with the vacancy.

The 64-year-old is the bookmakers' favourite for the England job and appears to be the popular choice among supporters, the media and other managers and players.

Asked if he was flattered to be the popular choice to lead England, he told a press conference televised by Sky Sports News: "Yes of course. It's nice if people put me in a position where they think I've got a chance of getting the job.

"It is flattering, other managers have come out and said nice things and I appreciate everybody's support really."

Redknapp appeared to rule out the possibility of coaching England and Tottenham at the same time, saying: "It is hard enough managing a league club let alone managing your country, it's two very difficult jobs.

"I think your focus has got to be on one job, you can't be going home thinking, 'Who's playing well in this situation?'

"I can't take my eye off the ball at Tottenham at the moment because we're looking to get Champions League football, we're still in the FA Cup and I owe it to them to continue to keep completely focused on the job I'm doing here.

"It wouldn't be fair to anybody here if I started to let my thoughts wander elsewhere."

But when pressed on the matter, Redknapp added: "It wouldn't be easy (leaving Spurs). It would be very difficult.

"I'm happy, but if the opportunity comes (to manage England), and I get asked, I'll have to consider it."

Redknapp was then asked if managing England was the ultimate.

"It has to be," he added. "But you also have to understand what a tough job it is.

"No-one has a magic wand and the list of top-class managers who have all gone in full of hope, people like Kevin Keegan, who did a fantastic job at Newcastle, and they all found it very, very difficult.

"It's certainly not an easy job. Whoever takes that job has a real job on their hands."

It can only be a matter of when, rather than if, he has some pretty big things to consider, which would be done in conjunction with wife Sandra and son Jamie.

"No, it wouldn't be easy (leaving here)," he said. "It would be very difficult. I'm happy at work.

"But if the opportunity comes, and I get asked, I'll have to consider it. I'll have to make a decision, but I have to do what's right for me and my family."

Capello resigned on Wednesday after the FA board went over his head to strip John Terry of the captaincy while the Chelsea defender prepares to contest a charge of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand at a trial in July.

Redknapp admitted it had been a testing few days, having been cleared of tax evasion charges at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, just hours before Capello's resignation.

Redknapp added: "It's knocked me for six. I haven't felt so good the last couple of days but I feel better today.

"(My appetite for the Spurs job) has never waned, things were going well in the football but things were hanging over me which were always a problem for me, but thankfully it's gone now and we can move on."

The four-man Club England board were planning to sit down on Friday to begin the process of selecting Capello's successor and former England captain Alan Shearer insists the FA should "move heaven and earth" to secure Redknapp.

"I think he is made for it," Shearer told the BBC's Football Focus programme.

"He understands players and players understand him. That is a perfect mix. I'd move heaven and earth to get him."

Shearer backed the FA's decision to strip Terry of the captaincy, but could understand Capello's frustration that the decision had been taken without his approval.

"Having been England captain, particularly leading up to the tournament, you are asked to do all sorts with the media," he said.

"It would have been hard for John Terry to do that without people asking millions of questions."