Harry Redknapp heaps praise on Eddie Howe after Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph… and hopes his success will encourage more owners to appoint English coaches in the Premier League

Harry Redknapp hopes Eddie Howe’s success with Newcastle will encourage more owners to choose English coaches rather than being fooled into thinking going foreign is their only option.

Howe became the first English manager to win a major trophy in the country since Redknapp led Portsmouth to FA Cup glory in 2008, as he defeated Arne Slot’s Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley. 

Coincidentally, Howe was also Redknapp’s first signing as Pompey boss in 2002.

Redknapp – a proud advocate for English managers – says he texted Howe after his Carabao Cup triumph, though had not yet heard back with the Newcastle boss presumably too busy celebrating.

Redknapp, 78, told us less than 24 hours after Howe’s big win: ‘It’s sad that there’s only two English managers in the Premier League at the moment (Howe and Graham Potter). It’s sad that they don’t get the opportunities.

‘The only way you tend to get there over the years now is to take a team up. In the main, unless you get promoted, you don’t seem to get an opportunity to manage – especially managing one of the big clubs. 

Harry Redknapp hopes Howe’s success will entice more owners to choose English coaches

By beating Liverpool at Wembley, the Newcastle manager became the first English head coach to win a major trophy in the country since Redknapp led Portsmouth to FA Cup glory in 2008

‘It doesn’t happen to English managers. They don’t seem to get that chance.’

Asked if Howe’s success can change that perception, Redknapp continued: ‘You’d hope so. Given the opportunity, there are lots of good lads out there who could do the job.’

Redknapp was speaking at a launch for a north versus south game which will take place at Charlton’s Valley on June 1. 

He will manage the southern side, while Robbie Fowler will take charge of their northern opponents.

Redknapp added he thought Howe was a prime candidate for the England job which eventually went to Thomas Tuchel. 

Continuing on his triumph with Newcastle, he said: ‘I don’t know who questions him really. It’s not surprised me at all. I could always see him being a big success there.

‘Good players. You need good players. People kid themselves now, “It’s all rocket science.” He’s getting the best out of people. Eddie is sensible. He knows the game, put a good team together, made good signings, signed proper, proper, proper people. 

‘Dan Burn, when he took him, that was a proper signing. He was a character, he was a leader. Kieran Trippier was a fantastic signing. Eddie knew what he was getting.’

Redknapp hailed Dan Burn (above) as a ‘proper, proper signing’ after he scored in the final

Howe and Graham Potter (above) are currently the only English bosses in the Premier League

Robbie Fowler’s North England FC will take on Harry Redknapp’s South England FC at Charlton Athletic’s The Valley on Sunday June 1. 

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