Redknapp says Capello 'unnecessary'

Harry Redknapp has branded Fabio Capello's appointment as England manager as completely unnecessary.

Harry Redknapp has branded Fabio Capello's appointment as England manager as completely unnecessary.

Portsmouth boss Redknapp insists the job does not require a top coach but demands a motivator and tactician.

He told a British newspaper: "Do you have to be a super-coach to manage England? Does Steven Gerrard need coaching? Of course not. Or Ashley Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Micah Richards, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney?

"You get them for three days before a game, what will you coach them? Would I get Gerrard and coach him on passing a football or Lampard on running on to the ball and hitting it in the top corner from 30 yards?

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"It's not about coaching! It's about picking the players, getting them organised, giving them belief, giving them a platform to play without fear and getting the best out of them.

"It doesn't need Jurgen Klinsmann or Fabio Capello. Top coaches? It's a fallacy. I've seen one, maybe two in my lifetime, no more," he told the Daily Mail.

"Football is about the management of players. To be manager of England, you don't have to be a great coach - they don't exist - you have to be a manager."

He added of Capello: "I'm not unhappy with his appointment. I just think the manager of England should be English."

Redknapp is upset his opinion was not canvassed by Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick, who consulted a number of top managers prior to Capello's appointment.

However, following his recent high-profile arrest by police investigating corruption in football, the Pompey chief gave up on getting the job itself.

Redknapp, who insists the probe has nothing to do with him personally, said: "Yeah, I'd like to have spoken to Brian. I know I was never going to get it, but I'm obviously not important. I've only managed for more than 1,000 games, 13 seasons in the Premier League, fifth in the Premier League.

"Great, talk to Sir Alex Ferguson. Then talk to the others. Great, but why not talk to me? I have plenty to say to him."

Despite being snubbed, Redknapp would never turn down England.

"If England asked, you couldn't say no," he said.  PA