Harry Redknapp was left "kicking himself" after not bothering to read the fine print of his Tottenham Hotspur contract, which he reckons cost him the England job.
The former Portsmouth boss, then 65, was the overwhelming favourite to step into the famous Wembley dugout when Fabio Capello walked out on the eve of the 2012 European Championships. Having just led Tottenham to the Champions League proper for the first time in the club's history, Redknapp was the name on everyone's lips to replace Capello.
But the FA instead chose Roy Hodgson, a decision which some fans are still scratching their heads over to this day. More than a decade on from the controversial call, Redknapp believes that his £15million buy-out clause at Tottenham was why the Three Lions head honchos never even gave him an interview.
"I had this crazy clause in my contract which meant that if another club came after me – or in this case the FA – they would have to pay £5million back to Portsmouth, the last club I was at before Spurs, plus all my wages for my time at Tottenham and whatever was left on my contract," the now-retired gaffer recalled in his new book 'When Harry Met Sandra' published by Reach.
"It was looking like a £15m buy-out clause … I didn't look at the finer print. I never have, and that is my fault and I should have done. It was a crazy clause, all in Tottenham's favour, but what could I do? I just think I would have worked out very expensive for the FA and Roy would have been a cheaper option.
"I am not having a pop at Roy by the way, or running him down. I think he is a decent fella with great experience. I just think he was probably a bit more of the FA's cup of tea than I ever was," Redknapp lamented. "I was kicking myself over that bloody contract. But, as I say, it wasn't meant to be."
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Although Hodgson led England for three major tournaments, his time in charge of the Three Lions went down as an abject failure and has sadly blemished his superb coaching CV. Sacked after the infamous loss to Iceland at Euro 2016, four years with Crystal Palace was a commendable comeback.
As for Redknapp, he stayed at Spurs and guided them to their second fourth-placed finish in only three years, unfortunately missing out on Champions League qualification due to London rivals Chelsea winning the competition. Chairman Daniel Levy sacked him less than a month after the season had ended, having reportedly failed to agree terms over a new contract.
Redknapp's managerial career dwindled from there, as he yo-yoed from the Premier League to the Championship and back again with Queens Park Rangers before short spells in charge of the Jordanian national team and Birmingham City. The latter lasted a mere 13 games and brought to an end his 34-year career in the dugout.
