Redknapp's Replacement

Following the shock news that Harry Redknapp has apparently left Spurs, I felt it was only right as both a Spurs fan and a trainee sports journalist to run the rule over those in the running for the Spurs job.

Looking at the betting market, David Moyes is the overwhelming odds-on favourite. For the job he has done with the money available to him, Moyes can only receive praise. Yes, he has occasionally spent big, but by and large he has bought players in on the cheap who have done well for Everton. With a larger budget that would be available to him at Spurs, one can only dream of what could lie ahead if the Scotsman was placed in charge. However, there is something I can't put my finger on that casts my doubts as to whether Moyes is the right man for Spurs. After so long at one club, would he easily be able to replicate success elsewhere. Just look at the case of Guy Roux in France, who was in charge of Auxerre for 44 years. He lasted less than four games in his next job. I hope if Moyes is given the job this isn't the case.

Next up is Wigan's Roberto Martinez, who narrowly missed out in the race for the Liverpool job. In the past, Liverpool were a great club, a real dominant force. In recent years, however, that reputation has wavered and I would go as far to say Spurs are perhaps currently the bigger club, must to the protest of my Liverpool supporting father. However, the fact Martinez may have been passed over for what could be seen as a lesser job causes me some concern. Like Moyes, Martinez has done well on a tight budget and could again do well with a bigger budget. But Liverpool must have had their doubts over the Spaniard as they chose Brendan Rodgers to lead the club instead. If they were worried whether Martinez was right for the job, then Spurs might have to be as well.

Scrolling through the rest of the list, none of the other leading candidates strike me as being well suited to the job. Rafa Benitez, who, on reflection, done a very good job at Liverpool but had something close to a mental breakdown during the 2008-09 season with Liverpool in a title race with Manchester United. Andre Villas-Boas, who has limited managerial experience and a nightmare spell at Chelsea. Alan Pardew, who may well have won the LMA Manager of the Year award but hardly set the world on fire when he was with Southampton in League One, a job from which he was sacked less than two years ago.

It's worrying time for a Spurs fan. A new manager needs to put in place soon to ensure a pre-season is not wasted. And one the the first tasks for the new manager will be the battle to keep hold of players like Luka Modric and Rafael Van der Vaart, both of whom have been linked with moves away from the Lane this summer. Talk about having to hit the ground running. All I can hope for is the Spurs board find the right man for the job, and find him quickly.