Harry Redknapp

The 63-year-old was about to enter the final year of his contract with the north Londoners, but the club moved swiftly to exercise the option to keep him for a further two seasons following a fantastic campaign in which he guided them to fourth spot and a place in the Champions League.

However, Redknapp feels he could continue working beyond 2013 and would like to emulate the achievements of top managers such as Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and England coach Fabio Capello, who are still working in their sixties.

He said: “You never know what is around the corner and, while I have the energy, I think I will carry on for as long as I can. I feel as though I have a good few years left me in yet.

“When you see how long [the 68-year-old] Sir Alex Ferguson has lasted, and then look around at some of the guys of the older generation that keep on going like Fabio Capello, Arsene Wenger and Roy Hodgson you think ‘I could do the same’.”

Meanwhile, Redknapp is now focused on the new campaign which Tottenham start with a home game against last term’s top-four rivals Manchester City at White Hart Lane (Spurs 5/4, City 7/4, draw 23/10 – 90 Minutes). And he is hoping to have Joe Cole in his starting XI following the players’ departure from Chelsea at the end of last season.

“I managed Joe before, and I signed him when he was 11,” added Redknapp.

“We have always had a good relationship. I know what makes Joe tick and it’s his love of the game and his need to be playing it. That is what I am offering him.

“I would like Joe here with me but it is now up to the club and up to Joe, his agent and his dad and our chairman. He is talking to them to try to do a deal. If it is beyond us in financial terms I can appreciate that but I am hoping other factors will come into play to make up Joe’s mind.”

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