Harry Redknapp confirms talks with Ukraine over manager role

Harry Redknapp has confirmed his advisors are today in talks with the Ukrainian FA over him becoming the new manager of their national team. 

It is a move which would offer Redknapp the chance to shatter Roy Hodgson's World Cup dream - six months after being overlooked for the England job. England face Ukraine in a potentially crucial tie next September in Kiev. 

Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail today, Redknapp said: 'It's a fantastic job. I found out about it a couple of weeks ago when they got in touch with my advisors. I am serious about it. 

'They are an up and coming football country with some very good young players, some great teams like Shakhtar and some great stadiums. 

'I will talk to them and see if we can sort something out. I'm definitely interested, without a doubt.' 

Paul Stretford, Redknapp's agent, is in Ukraine today talking to their FA on Redknapp's behalf. 

However, Sportsmail understands Redknapp would also give serious consideration to a switch to QPR should co-owner Tony Fernandes decide to part company with Mark Hughes. 

But QPR would have to scratch Redknapp off their list should the former Spurs boss commit to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian FA and Redknapp’s representatives confirmed that an approach had been made, with talks expected to take place to discuss what sources say would be an extremely lucrative offer. 

Hodgson, the man who was appointed England boss in the face of popular opinion - with many wanting former Tottenham manager Redknapp in the post - has admitted even he was shocked to beat Redknapp to the job. 

‘As soon as Fabio’s position became vacant the papers had a clear idea about who the man replacing him would be,’ Hodgson said. ‘One name was cropping up more and more. So I didn’t expect the call. 

'I remember it distinctly – I was driving back to London on Saturday night, and my son had just flown home from America that evening. Then the FA phoned, saying they wanted to meet me. 

'The West Brom chairman had deliberately kept it quiet, until after the game against Aston Villa, because he didn’t want my concentration to be affected.’ 

Both the Ukrainian FA and Redknapp's representatives confirmed that an approach had been made, with talks now expected to take place to discuss what sources said would be an extremely lucrative offer to the former Tottenham manager. 

Hodgson's team are making hard work of their campaign to reach the 2014 finals in Brazil. They have dropped four points from four qualifiers and the prospect of Redknapp delivering a potentially fatal blow in Ukraine next September will fill the FA with dread. 

It would be quite an act of revenge, even if the prospect of such an outcome may deter Redknapp from accepting the offer given his sense of patriotism. 

The Ukrainian football federation declared their interest after a meeting yesterday. 

A statement said they had taken 'the decision to begin talks with Redknapp's representatives relating to him working in the post of chief coach'. 

Mikhail Fomenko, of the UFF, added: 'He has a lot of experience, coaching talent and knows how to motivate footballers. In whatever team he led Redknapp very quickly improved the quality of the play and achieved significant progress. 

'Today he is an expert in the game and one of the best English coaches.'

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, Redknapp's agent Paul Stretford said: 'I can confirm we have been approached by the Ukrainian FA who are keen to talk to us about the possibility of Harry becoming the next manager of the national team.' 

The Ukrainians have been without a manager since Oleh Blokhin quit after a 1-1 draw at Wembley in September to take control at Dynamo Kiev.

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Source: DailyMail