Levy supposedly has been dealing with a bereavement and if this is the case it explains the delays in player purchases as well as contract dealings. I mean the guy is an astute businessman, but he's not a robot (he has to have some time to himself).
I hope that Redknapp does stay and that he finds his feet again to push on for next year, yes he let the fans and players down with the protracted England talks (but he's no different to the footballers out there, Modric for example, when it comes to what seems like a massive offer).
The dust has now settled and now we hear talks will begin today, but I wouldn't be surprised if it went on past the Euro's.
Lets look at it form Levy's side, February after a big win against Newcastle we are sitting pretty in 3rd and looks like its the first time we will finish above Arsenal. Then the England story comes out and Redknapp does not squash those rumours, but he does squash the Chelsea ones. The players heads drop and the as expected the performances drop. As a manager you are expected to lift morale and Redknapp did not seem to do it, or is it the players showing that without Redknapp they are not interested? It is a tough decision to make if you are going to sack a manager that has brought Tottenham their best finishes since the premier league started? A great cameo appearance in the Champions League is difficult to ignore.
So as you can see its not a clear cut decision, in fact it is likely to be the hardest decision he has made to date.
But as a chairman Levy must also accept blame in all of this. We have been in need (desperately) for squad strengthening at vital parts of the season and Levy has failed to bring in the needed players. I have said it in the past that there has been a trend for the past 2 years when Levy should have bought in the January window to boost the team for the final part of the season, only to flop spectacularly and sign complete deadwood that made no improvement to our squad at all.
So where does this leave us? Redknapp is not feeling loved, the players are confused and a chairman that has been unwilling to support the team when it has been truly needed.
The solution is simple, Modric, Bale, Van Der Vaart are all players that have flourished under Redknapp and it shows he has some great man management and great decisions (bringing in Parker and Friedel), so can you fire him? Of course not ...support your manager and support the vision that has been portrayed buy in the needed talent and all will fall into place.
We were close this year and close the year before and although every year we are saying next season, this season is the breaking point. Levy needs to spend big and he knows he has a capable manager in Redknapp so to me its simple.
Forget concerns of the new league rulings of spending more than you make Man City have blatantly got their way around this by pumping the money into the club through other sources.
The reason this season is make or break is simple, Chelsea will now emerge as a contender again, Man City have turned the tables by buying the league and Man Utd will always be there, so that now leaves 1 spot for the top 4. Well if we can get the much needed signings in before Arsenal beat us to the punch then its highly possible to get the final champs league spot, but also its possible that we could get a better spot than this year.
So come on Levy support your man (Redknapp) and most importantly this is the last time that you can spend the money and get away with it, buy big and buy now, Adebayor, De Jong, Vertonghen, Krul and Adam Johnson or Victor Moses. That gives us some fresh young (but experienced blood) and more importantly the competition in the squad to push us onto the next level. Oh and to be clear keep Luka, Gareth and Rafa.
Come on you Spurs!! Your thoughts are welcome email me on hogggatspursmad@hotmail.com