Harry snubs Blackburn as Maradona joins list of candidates for Ewood Park job
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UPDATED:
15:09 GMT, 30 October 2012
Harry Redknapp has ruled himself out of the running for the managerial post at Blackburn.
Rovers have been without a manager since Steve Kean resigned to end a troubled reign a month ago and Redknapp was expected to be interviewed this week.
But the 65-year-old former Tottenham boss said: 'When we saw the speculation, I asked where it was all coming from, it`s not for me.
No go: Harry Redknapp says he will not be joining Blackburn Rovers
'They've got a good squad, a good support but it's not for me.'
'Redknapp, who was sacked by Spurs in teh summer, added on Sky Sports News: Blackburn is a good club with great traditions going back many years, with Kenny (Dalglish) going there and winning the championship, they have a real tradition. It's not something that would be for me.'
Former Norway international Henning Berg is the current bookmakers' favourite for the Blackburn job, while Argentinean icon Diego Maradona was linked overnight.
Approaches for Berg's fellow ex-Rovers Tim Sherwood and Billy McKinlay have been rejected by Tottenham and Fulham where the pair hold respective coaching roles.
In the frame: Henning Berg
A Blackburn spokesman declined to comment on the managerial situation and refused to be drawn on claims made by global advisor Shebby Singh that Kean's successor would be in place by the middle of this week.
Following six games under the guidance of caretaker manager Eric Black, Rovers are fifth in the Championship as they seek an instant return to the Barclays Premier League.
Berg, 43, fits Singh’s mould of a
younger coach with Blackburn connections, having won the Premiership
title at Ewood in 1995 and captaining the club to League Cup glory seven
years later after rejoining them from Manchester United.
Unlike Sherwood and McKinlay, he also has managerial experience, with Lyn Oslo and Lillestrom.
Should the approaches for
his top targets fail to land the club a new boss, Singh is preparing to
line-up an audacious bid for Maradona.
Singh has opened discussions with Maradona, who is available and said to be keen on the job after leaving Arabian club Al Wasl.
The
move for Maradona has begun in earnest over the past few days – much to
the amazement of other officials at Ewood Park as the Argentina legend
speaks only limited English.
He also had battled drug addiction, and had numerous run ins with officials and the media during his colourful career.
Meanwhile, Blackburn’s neighbours and Championship rivals Bolton Wanderers unveiled Dougie Freedman as their new manager on Tuesday.
Rovers to offer chance to Indian coach
While the search for a new full time boss continues, Rovers are also looking at a plan to give a young coach of Indian origin a prominent role at the club.
Judan Ali – born in London to Indian parents – played for Arsenal's youth team and has worked at St George's Park with the England Under 17s.
Ali studied at Barcelona's La Masia academy while gaining his coaching qualifications and has ambitions to manage a team in the Premier League.
The move would raise Blackburn's profile in India and establish a route for Asian coaches hoping to reach the top of the game.
Ali also hopes to manage a low-ranked national team through World Cup qualifiers.
He told SportsKeeda: 'I have already proved that it can be done at youth level and I am determined to do the same at international senior level, should the opportunity arise.'
The 38-year-old former Crystal Palace
boss admitted he is taking over ‘a club in decline’ and wasted no time
warning a squad with the second biggest wage bill in the Championship
that he expects them to turn things around.
'Certain players believe the club was made for them and that will certainly change,' said Freedman.
‘We all need to understand from the beginning that you’re only as good as your last game.
‘I will make sure they turn up every day determined to get better and respect each other. If they don’t I’ll deal with them.’
Palace centre back Paddy McCarthy is
expected to be one of his first targets in January, but Freedman is
confident he can get the best out of the players already there.
He said: 'I believe in my own philosophy on the game in the way I give people opportunities and play with a no-fear factor.
‘Take the modern-day player and strip
down the money, the caps, the hairstyles and the tweeting, and you’ve
still got an individual who is talented and needs to get that talent
out in some way.’
Former Watford boss Sean Dyche, 41, is expected to be confirmed as Burnley’s new manager on Tuesday.
New job: Dougie Freedman has taken over at Bolton
