Redknapp is named manager of the season

PREVIEW: Burnley v Tottenham, tomorrow 4pm (Turf Moor)

The award recognises the 63-year-old’s achievement in guiding Spurs to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League and securing qualification for the Champions League for the first time.

“I’m delighted to receive the award but it’s a team effort with Kevin (Bond), Joe (Jordan), Clive (Allen), Tony (Parks), Tim (Sherwood), Les (Ferdinand) and all the coaching and fitness staff,” Redknapp said.

“Really, I’m just part of the team.

“It’s all down to the players and what they’ve achieved. It’s down to them really and a real honour to receive it.”

Redknapp took over the Spurs reins in October 2008 with the team bottom of the table having picked up only two points from their opening eight games.

The north London club ensured a top-four finish this season by winning 1-0 at Manchester City on Wednesday night, and could even pip Arsenal to third if they win at Burnley tomorrow and Fulham beat the Gunners.

The accolade was voted by the Barclays awards panel, which is made up of football’s governing bodies, the media and fans.

Redknapp becomes only the second manager since the formation of the Premier League to win the award without having won the league, following in the footsteps of George Burley after the Scot guided Ipswich to fifth place in 2000/01.

The Spurs boss however admits it will take a “miracle” for his team to overtake north London rivals Arsenal and clinch a third-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League.

Fulham are likely to rest key players ahead of their Europa League final against Atletico Madrid in Hamburg on Wednesday.

Redknapp fully understands if Fulham boss Roy Hodgson plays an under-strength team in the circumstances and therefore recognises overhauling Arsenal is a faint hope.

“We’ll go into the last game and give it our best shot (to come third) but it’s very, very difficult,” he said.

“It will be difficult for Fulham to get a result at Arsenal. Roy’s got a Europa League cup final on Wednesday to consider and he’s got to do what he feels is right for his club.

“We’re pleased to be where we are – if a miracle happens and we can win at Burnley and Fulham pull off a win at Arsenal, that would be even better. But it’s a long shot.

“But I can’t criticise Roy at all. He’s got to do what he wants to do with his team.”

Spurs fans are still pinching themselves, having seen their side beat the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in the run-in to clinch a place in the Champions League for the first time.

The club are now being linked with a host of high-profile players as they look to shape their squad for a tilt at Champions League glory.

The list includes Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and Chelsea winger Joe Cole – two stars who played under Redknapp when he was manager of West Ham – but the Spurs boss admits the England pair may be out of his reach.

“I have never discussed Joe with anybody,” Redknapp said.

“I signed Joe as an 11-year-old and I know him better than anybody. He’s a fantastic player but he belongs to Chelsea and there’s every chance he’ll want to stay at Chelsea.

“Michael’s also a top player. I signed him when he was 12. I know all about him as well. Will he want to leave Man United? I wouldn’t have thought so.”

Redknapp has deservedly been hailed as Tottenham’s saviour – when he joined the club in October 2008, they were bottom of the league after their worst-ever start to a season.

But the 63-year-old yesterday revealed that, contrary to reports, he has not received a bonus from chairman Daniel Levy.

“I never got one single penny bonus. I didn’t ask for a penny and will not receive one penny,” Redknapp said.

“Where the story came from that I got £2 million is a disgrace. I didn’t ask for any and don’t want any. It’s absolute nonsense.

“I’ve got a contract. My job is to finish as high as I can and that’s what I did. I don’t want any.”

Gareth Bale, who has shone for Spurs on the left wing over the past few months, was yesterday given a new four-year contract by the club, tying him to the Londoners until 2014.

Redknapp is delighted to have secured the future of the Wales international.

“He’s still young player and he’s become as good a left-sided player as there is in the Premier League,” he said.

“He’s got everything to keep progressing and become a great player. You have to keep your best players if we are a club that is looking to progress.”