What a drag! Harry puzzled by FA delay in appointing England boy Roy

Published: 18:06 EST, 4 May 2012 | Updated: 18:40 EST, 4 May 2012

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Harry Redknapp confessed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as England manager came as a ‘relief’ but also questioned why the process took the FA nearly three months to complete.

‘It did drag on,’ said Redknapp. ‘I don’t know why they didn’t do it six weeks ago. What was the problem? West Brom weren’t going to go down.’

Tottenham boss Redknapp, whose side are away to Aston Villa on Sunday, refutes suggestions that results suffered because of speculation that he was Fabio Capello’s chosen successor. But his assistant, Kevin Bond, was among those who feared it was having an impact.

Drag: Harry Redknapp does not understand why the FA took so long to appoint Hodgson

‘Kevin thought there was a change,’ said Redknapp. ‘He was talking about how Southampton went after Gordon Strachan said he was going to leave and Manchester United after Fergie said he was going to retire.’

Asked whether Spurs chairman Daniel Levy thought it had damaged the club’s campaign, the manager replied: ‘I think he thinks it might have done. It was non-stop speculation but I didn’t lie in bed wondering what my England team was going to be. I only ever thought of Tottenham.’

Redknapp also hit back at claims about why the FA overlooked him in favour of Hodgson, such as the idea his wife Sandra did not like the idea of him working from the National Football Centre in Burton-on-Trent or that he was reluctant to nurture the next generation of talent.

‘Nobody watches more games than me, kids’ football and everything else, so that’s not a fact at all,’ said Redknapp. ‘I read my wife didn’t want me going to Burton every day but she doesn’t know where Burton is. She just says: ‘‘Whatever you do, Harry, is fine by me”.’

Our man: Roy Hodgson (right) will stay at West Brom until the end of the season

The FA’s approach to Hodgson was confirmed on Sunday, a couple of hours after Tottenham’s win over Blackburn. ‘I was quite relieved when I woke up on Monday and it was all out of the way,’ said Redknapp.

‘I didn’t have a decision to make and it wouldn’t have been an easy decision. I’ve got a great job. I’m managing a fantastic club with good players. I love going to places like Anfield, Old Trafford, Chelsea and the Emirates. I enjoy being with the players every day.

‘It would have been a different way of life. I’m not really one for being careful about every word I say. It took that decision away from me.’