I need a break from football, admits exhausted Redknapp

The Spurs manager will try to plan a holiday, if only for 'five or six days' (Reuters)

Regardless of whether Tottenham's season finishes with Champions League qualification or an ignominious return to the Europa League, Harry Redknapp yesterday revealed that the rigours of a gruelling campaign have left him needing a break from football.

Spurs can still secure automatic entry to Europe's top competition should they beat Fulham at White Hart Lane and Arsenal falter at West Bromwich – a draw may even suffice – but fourth place in the Premier League would leave them at the mercy of Chelsea and their attempt to win this year's Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

After he was overlooked for the England manager's job as the Football Association appointed Roy Hodgson, the BBC announced that Redknapp would join its punditry team at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. The 65-year-old, however, has now cast doubt over his role by citing a desire for time off during the close season.

"I'm not sure what I am going to be doing, really," he said. "I will look at it in the summer and see what I want to do. I just feel I want a holiday. I want to get away from it. Even if I am at home, whatever, I just feel like I need a break. I won't be going away for too long. I am not in to long holidays – five or six days, really.

"Roy did it for the World Cup, didn't he? I went out there [to South Africa] for the World Cup too and I was with him in Cape Town. I wouldn't be criticising him in any way. So I suppose there's not much point having me on!"

Redknapp has endured a difficult season in which he suffered a heart scare, successfully fought a tax evasion trial and was snubbed by the FA despite being the popular choice to succeed Fabio Capello.

But he said: "I have come out of the other side of it all. When you see little kids come here to the training ground and then eight weeks later they have passed away... what I have been through is nothing [in comparison]."

Redknapp revealed Scott Parker is struggling with an Achilles problem and is a doubt to face the Cottagers but should be fit for the European Championship.

"He is struggling with fitness," Redknapp said. "It is not a rupture but it is sore. He is not going to train and we are going to see how he is and whether he could be available for the weekend. [But] it is bothering him. After Sunday he will have some injections in it and see if that can clear it up."