Why my gaffer Harry Redknapp must beat miracle man Roy Hodgson to Manager of the Year award

By Jermain Defoe

Published 09:50 07/05/10

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Roy Hodgson may be the favourite, but I can’t see past my own boss Harry Redknapp for Manager of the Year.

Yes, Hodgson has worked miracles at Fulham and whenever I speak to the boys from that club they always tell me that he is an outstanding coach.

Everybody knows exactly how good a job he has done in taking Fulham to the Final of the Europa League.

But Wednesday night for us at Spurs was something special.

The culmination of a season-long marathon in which we have had to maintain a level of performance good enough to break into the top four.

Just look at the massive names who have tried and failed before Harry.

You’ve got the men I’ve played under for a start – the well-respected David Pleat, the former France coach Jacques Santini, the Ajax coach Martin Jol and Juande Ramos, two-time winner of the UEFA Cup.

All of them have tried and failed. And before them top coaches such as George Graham, Glenn Hoddle and Gerry Francis.

That top four spot has eluded them all. Then look at the players the club has had – David Ginola, Jurgen Klinsmann, ‘Sir’ Les Ferdinand, Jamie Redknapp, Sol Campbell and Teddy Sheringham.

All of them have served the club with distinction and yet for them the top four was unattainable.

So for Harry to make it happen for us is just incredible. And that’s why I hope he gets the credit he deserves for it.

You’ve got to be up there with the top managers to pick the right teams for the right matches throughout the season.

To manage a squad of young internationals, inspiring us all to give of our best whenever we are called upon. To inspire us to face the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal and not back down against their superior experience.

To win away at tough places like Wigan, Stoke and Blackburn. All places where top six sides have dropped points this season.

It all requires leadership of the highest order and Harry provides that.

Other managers would have picked a negative, defensive side to take on the firepower of Manchester City on Wednesday.

But the fact that Harry picked an attacking side showed the faith he had in us and he is a magnificent man-manager in that respect.

Players I speak to who have played under him say that he is up there with Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of his motivational ability.

I’d agree with that. Hodgson may well win the Europa League, he might not. And if they don’t, Fulham won’t be in the competition next season.

But Harry has changed the course of Tottenham’s history. Next season we will be up with the elite. The club can now attract top players with the lure of Champions League football.

He has transformed the club in his first full season, seeing off the millions at Manchester City, the history of Liverpool, and possibly even the artistry of Arsenal should results go spectacularly our way on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson may have brought the good times back to Fulham, but Harry has taken Spurs to another level.

Whether he gets the award or not, he is the Manager of the Year for me.

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