Redknapp urges Ancelotti to stay

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has described the speculation surrounding the future of Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti as a ‘nightmare’.

Redknapp, speaking ahead of Saturday’s English Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion, defended Chelsea’s performance this campaign.

Chelsea host local rivals West Ham United on Saturday, sitting in second and six points adrift of Manchester United in their only hope for a trophy this season.

But Redknapp said Ancelotti, who has been under pressure since the UEFA Champions League loss to United, had enough in the bank to warrant a future at Stamford Bridge.

“It’s a nightmare when you keep seeing all this speculation about him,” Redknapp said.

“He’s come to England and won the double in his first season. I mean what an achievement.”

“You know people (are) saying he’s going to go, you know he’s got so much to offer English football as well.”

Redknapp hopes the Italian manager will remain in England beyond the end of this season.

“You’d like to see him stay here as long as he wants to stay here,” Redknapp said.

“Hopefully it’s all speculation, but it certainly is a (nice) person again and I think nice people, you like to see the good lads do well and he’s a great guy.”

If Tottenham collect three points at home to West Bromwich Albion they will move past Manchester City and into the UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.

Roberto Mancini’s fourth-placed team visit Blackburn on Sunday.