Tottenham focus turns to retaining star players Gareth Bale and Luka Modric following Harry Redknapp departure

 

Tottenham's biggest challenge this summer could be convincing their star men to stay and be part of a new chapter in the club's history following the departure of Harry Redknapp.

Despite finishing fourth in the Barclays Premier League, which ultimately was not enough for Champions League football after Chelsea's penalty shoot-out win in last month's final, the board yesterday sacked the 65-year-old, who had transformed their fortunes since taking charge in October 2008.

Spurs' board will take their time sounding out potential successors, with former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas among the contenders, possibly working under a technical director.

However, it remains to be seen how many of Redknapp's squad will be involved for the new campaign, which is to include another venture into the second-tier Europa League.

Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett accepts not being in the Champions League is "a problem" for the Wales winger, but it would take a huge bid to prise the 22-year-old away from White Hart Lane.

Croatia playmaker Luka Modric, meanwhile, will be another frustrated at not being able to test himself against top-level European opposition next season, while Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is said to be on the wanted list for German outfit Schalke, who finished third in the Bundesliga and so qualified straight into the group stages of the Champions League.

Speaking to the latest edition of German magazine Sport Bild, Modric accepted there would always be plenty of options if he was looking for a move.

"There are all sorts of rumours still circulating about me," said Modric, before the news of Redknapp's departure broke.

"I am not saying that the clubs are not interested, but I am still under contract with Tottenham."

Elsewhere, it has been reported players could be set for a battle with the club to secure bonuses for finishing in the top four, which did not in the end bring extra revenue from Champions League qualification.

Villas-Boas is a free agent having been dismissed by Chelsea earlier this season and so Tottenham would not have to pay any compensation were they to eventually appoint the 34-year-old.

Everton's David Moyes and Wigan boss Roberto Martinez have also been linked with the vacancy.

Former Spurs defender Chris Perry, 39, admitted the uncertainty was a worry.

He told TalkSPORT: "We have heard Modric might be leaving to go to Manchester United, obviously there have been rumours about Gareth Bale recently and Van der Vaart, and is he [Moyes] a big enough name internationally to keep these star players at Tottenham? I don't know.

"A Rafa Benitez might be a name that is good for the players to hear. He has obviously got a good track record, he won the Champions League with Liverpool."

Former Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann is another potential candidate, having been a huge hit with supporters during two spells at White Hart Lane in the 1990s.

However, the 47-year-old's publicist Roland Eitel maintains the German coach is settled in the United States as he aims to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Reports in France, meanwhile, claim Les Bleus coach Laurent Blanc is another on the radar for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

PA

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Back Spain to shut out Tahiti

The spread betting firms are very slow about pricing up this game and you can understand why. All th...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Look To The Lady In The Prince Of Wales

The Prince of Wales Stakes today is regarded by many as the No1 race of the Royal Ascot meeting and ...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Favourites have a good record in the Coventry stakes

Today’s St James Palace looks a cracker and there has been sustained money for Dawn Approach since t...

by Gareth Purnell

       
 

Day In a Page

Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over