No Rovers Return for Harry - but he wants a hotseat!

Harry Redknapp’s recent trip to Lancashire for talks with Blackburn Rovers was the clearest indication yet of a continued yearning for management.

Rosey 47 and his other tax exile doggie.

The 65-year-old ex-Tottenham boss emerged as a surprise candidate to succeed Steve Kean at Ewood Park.

Redknapp faced competition from former Blackburn defender Henning Berg, interviewed the day before and ultimately successful. Blackpool’s Ian Holloway was talked of before his cloak and dagger switch to Crystal Palace.

But in the end there was no Rovers Return.

A drop down to the Championship for the England favourite eight months ago and a daily commute from his Canford Cliffs paradise was a step too far.

It would certainly have proved a major coup for Rovers if he took the job.

I thought at the time the interview was a merry dance which suited both Redknapp and Rovers. 

But it advertises Harry and puts a flag in the sand to measure Rovers’ ambitions too.

There's no question Redknapp's about to make a return. Football's in his blood. He comes from the English game's leading dynasty.

Jamie's his son, Frank Lampard's his nephew - but more importantly, he's of a "certain age".

Experience is de rigeur in football. When Sir Alex Ferguson says 'there's nothing' after management and Arsene Wenger says retirement talk is for young people, Redknapp's also of that ilk. His return is rubber-stamped.

And after Queen's Park Rangers less than auspicious start to the season, Mark Hughes' position must be in question.

Graeme Le Saux previews this season's FA Cup

Graeme Le Saux won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2000

That's my girl!

I interviewed the former Chelsea and England left-back Graeme Le Saux about his experiences of winning, and indeed losing Cup Finals and I got to ask him why he thought Chelsea had dominated the competition in recent years.

Graeme also recently came out of retirement to play for Wembley in the preliminary rounds. What was it like to play professional football again in his 40's?

listen to ‘Graeme le Saux previews this season's FA Cup’ on Audioboo

Refs should be miked up for all to hear

As the Mark Clattenburg controversy continues, is it time we miked up referees? Jonny talks to Sportsmedia's Kevin Hatchard, who thinks it'd be good for football.

He believes it would clean up player's language and behaviour while offering us a more generous view of the man in the middle's lot.

listen to ‘Refs should be miked up for all to hear.’ on Audioboo

How the Clattenburg controversy will end up

Obi proved a difficult customer

Chelsea have made an official complaint to the Football Association regarding alleged "inappropriate language" made by referee Mark Clattenburg towards midfielder John Obi Mikel.

 

The European Champions won't pursue similar allegations involving another first team player, said to be Juan Mata.

 

The Blues formally complained to the FA after a "thorough internal investigation".

A second charge by Mata's been dropped by Chelsea

So here’s what’s going to happen:

The independent panel charged with looking into this won't be able to decide between conflicting evidence, so Clattenburg will be found not guilty.



It’s four English speaking officials versus a main witness whose mother tongue is Portuguese and whose English is far from fluent. It’s staggering Chelsea think they can prove anything on the balance of probability and that their legal counsel should recommend going forward.

But there could still be collateral damage for Clattenburg. It may well cost him the chance of refereeing at the World Cup as our FA’s representative.

 

There's no chance of him being found guilty. I believe Chelsea are pushing ahead just to save face. With thanks to Chris Davies of the Sunday People.