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LONDON: Harry Redknapp may be the fans' favourite to become the next England manager but the man himself was in no hurry to take on the job Friday, saying he wanted to see out the season with Tottenham Hotspur.
England are looking for a new manager following Fabio Capello's shock resignation and Redknapp is the leading contender to replace the Italian.
After Capello quit on Wednesday, four months before Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, the Football Association installed Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce as caretaker boss for this month's friendly against the Netherlands at Wembley.
England then don't have a match to play until two weeks after the conclusion of the Premier League season and Redknapp could yet be in a position to manage his country at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
But the 64-year-old, with Spurs third in the table and pushing for a first English title since 1961, wants to stay at White Hart Lane until the season ends.
“I'd be very surprised if I didn't finish the season with Tottenham, that's for sure,” he told reporters at the club's training ground.
“I haven't thought about not being here at the end of the season and I've got no idea why I shouldn't.”Redknapp is in pole position to succeed Capello, who resigned in protest at the FA's decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy.
But the Englishman, who won the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth, insisted he did not expect the FA to come calling.
“I don't think you ever think you're going to be in a position” where you will be appointed manager, he said.
“I haven't got a big ego... Whilst it is flattering to be mentioned at the moment, I never think I should be doing this or that. I'm happy, but if the opportunity comes, and I get asked (about England), I'll have to consider it.”
No manager has won a major trophy with England since Sir Alf Ramsey guided the team to their lone World Cup title, on home soil in 1966.
“You have to understand what a tough job it is,” said Redknapp.
“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... 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.”
Capello's decision was announced just hours after Redknapp was cleared of tax evasion charges in a London court on Wednesday. The verdict removed what many believed was the last remaining obstacle to his taking charge of his country.
FA officials have suggested they could opt for a caretaker coach for Euro 2012, allowing their manager to combine the England post with a club role.
However, Redknapp was wary of doubling up, saying: “It is hard enough managing a league club let alone managing your country, it's two very difficult jobs.
“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.”
Capello resigned after the FA removed Terry as England captain without consulting him. The Chelsea defender is contesting a charge of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand at a trial in July -- after Euro 2012.
The former England boss told an Italian TV show Friday: “I didn't flee, I left because there was a misunderstanding.
“I felt great but sometimes you decide to leave.”
