Roy's a lovely guy but why didn't the FA appoint Redknapp? Warnock says England would have already qualified under Harry

By Jack Gaughan

PUBLISHED: 06:47 EST, 7 October 2013 | UPDATED: 10:20 EST, 7 October 2013

Neil Warnock has stuck the boot into Roy Hodgson ahead of two make-or-break World Cup qualifiers by claiming England would have already qualified with Harry Redknapp in charge.

Hodgson knows maximum points against Montenegro and Poland will see England top Group H and start planning for Brazil in the summer.

But Warnock - out of work after an ill-fated spell at Leeds United last season - insists Redknapp was the man for the job.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Harry Redknapp: Even Roy thought I had the England job

Equipped: Neil Warnock believes England would have already qualified for the World Cup under Harry Redknapp

Equipped: Neil Warnock believes England would have already qualified for the World Cup under Harry Redknapp

Stick the boot in: Warnock's comments haven't helped England's cause in the run-up to twp crucial qualifiers

Stick the boot in: Warnock's comments haven't helped England's cause in the run-up to two crucial qualifiers

'I do think we’d have qualified for the World Cup by now if Harry Redknapp was in charge, but I’m biased,' Warnock told talkSPORT.

'Roy Hodgson is a very good manager and a lovely person but I just think he fitted as someone safe and secure. He wasn’t a gamble and that’s why I very rarely enjoy watching England.'

The revelations come on the same day as Redknapp's autobiography was serialised in Sportsmail, where the ex-Tottenham boss reveals that he thought he had the job sewn up - indicating Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard all supported him.

'Everyone said I was the people’s choice, the only choice,' Redknapp said. 'All the senior players seemed to be up for me to get the job.

In his stride: It's unlikely Hodgson will be ruffled by the remarks

Taking it in his stride: It's unlikely Hodgson will be ruffled by the remarks

'This isn’t about them giving the England job to me or Roy Hodgson, but English football being run by people who really haven’t got a clue. And they get to pick the England manager!'

And Warnock believes Redknapp is spot on in his assertions that the FA got the decision wrong.

'Harry gives players more freedom and flair,' Warnock added. 'Roy always sets his teams out not to lose whereas I think Harry sets his teams out to win. There is a massive difference.

'The thing about Harry is he just goes out to win. It wouldn’t have fazed him. I desperately wanted him to take over. I know there were all sorts of things in the cupboard at that time and everybody thought there would be problems.'

 

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Same as ever. I'm old enough to remember Clough, and then kicking out Venables and Hoddle just because he wasn't PC-enough. This is an organisation all about not losing. They have no concept of winning, which is why we don't.

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Many of us can remember the same thing happening when Clough should have got the job and we got............Ron Greenwood. And we have endured the same for years.

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What has Roy done. Nice guy but frightened to fail, he should throw caution to the wind and let his mixture of talented, experienced and youthful players have a go . His motto should be "He who dares wins" and maybe sometimes loses but at least it is unshackled effort and entertainment .

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Spot on. Spain could raise a squad of 23 capable of winning the World Cup from the EPL alone. France could field a strong full team plus bench, Belgium too, both of which would be stronger than England's best 11. But no worry, Arry as manager would turn our toiling donkeys into thoroughbreds.

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You have a laugh ! One of them is in the championship and the other is unemployed! But they don't lack confidence ! Couple of load mouthed barrow boys

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mr Warnock,dont you have to be able to read and write,to manage England,his wife cant keep doing it for him rednapp cant manage with out his large back room staff telling him what to do. harry Houdini,how he is not in prison is a miracle. rednapp took all the money out of Portsmouth,and look where they ended up/

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Well done Warnock. Harry sets his sides out to win?? Worked really well for Harry last season, you buffoon!

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Lets face it the English national side is in between generations. The former generation is getting past it. The up and coming generation is lacking maturity and experience. Hodgeson was taken on to develop the younger players and it requires patience

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Roy Hodgson jesus christ what can we say apart from..BORING BORING ENGLAND SHAME ON YOU FA SHAME ON YOU!!

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Harry only knows how to buy players - and bankrupt a club. You can't buy an england team so he'd struggle. Roy understands about using what he has.

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