Jordan slams Redknapp sacking

Joe Jordan has criticised Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to sack manager Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp, together with assistant coaches Jordan and Kevin Bond, were dismissed last month after Spurs failed to qualify for next year’s Champions League.

The club missed out on UEFA’s elite competition due to Chelsea’s unexpected Champions League triumph, with the west London side securing the fourth and final berth on offer to English clubs, despite finishing outside the top four in the Premier League.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy took the decision to remove Redknapp, who had a year to run on his contract and was seeking a long-term extension.

“Not for the life of me did I think I would go off on my holiday and return to find my contract had been terminated,” Jordan said.

“You look to improve and we would have.

“I didn’t see it coming. When I left White Hart Lane on the final day of the season I was looking forward not only to the next season – but also the Champions League.”

Spurs were in trouble at the foot of the Premier League table when Redknapp replaced Juande Ramos as Tottenham boss in 2008.

He took the team to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2010/11 and they were bidding for the league title last term, before their challenge faded away in the latter part of the campaign.

Jordan believes Redknapp had lined up a couple of new acquisitions which would help the club to compete next season.

“I think Harry had his eyes on one or two players who he thought could improve the team,” he said.

“We improved in each of the seasons we were at Tottenham. Harry would have got the players he wanted and we would have progressed further.”

Spurs are expected to confirm the appointment of former Chelsea and Porto head coach Andre Villas-Boas as Redknapp’s replacement during the week ahead.