Harry Redknapp says he is having a ball coaching at international level and is open to extending his spell with Jordan beyond Tuesday’s crunch World Cup qualifier with Australia.
Missed out on England job
The former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United manager was favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England manager in 2012, only to be ultimately overlooked in favour of Roy Hodgson. On Tuesday, though, he will conclude a two-match cameo as an international coach when he leads Jordan out to face Australia in a match they must win to be certain of progressing to the next round of Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
Jordan ‘friendliest people’
Redknapp, 69, said that while he was also committed to his post as an adviser to Derby County until the end of the English season, he would consider extending the Jordan role if asked.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, the people have just been fantastic,” Redknapp said. “All the staff and everybody, they’re the friendliest people I’ve dealt with. It’s been a great experience for me, it really has. So if there was something in the future, I’d look at it, for sure.”
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Australia ‘a dangerous team’
Redknapp’s first game in charge was an 8-0 thrashing of Bangladesh in Amman on Thursday, but the Englishman knows that Asian champions Australia will present an altogether tougher challenge.
“They are a threat, the full-backs get forward, the boy [Brad] Smith I think is going to be a big player for Liverpool in the future. They’ve got a bit of pace in their team, they’re a dangerous team, a good team, there’s no doubt about that at all,” he said.
Surprised by standards
Redknapp said there was also quality in the Jordan squad. “When I came over, I had absolutely no idea about Jordan football, or how good they were,” he said. “I’ve been really, really surprised at the standard, it’s much, much higher than I ever expected. So, yeah, we are underdogs, but we’re underdogs with a real fighting chance.”
Jordan, two points behind Australia in Group B, could still get through to the third round of Asian qualifying with a draw if other results go their way.
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