Harry Redknapp avails himself for a return to Spurs as an aide to Ryan Mason

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager turned advisor Harry Redknapp has opened the door to a potential return to the club as an aide for soon-to-be interim boss Ryan Mason.

Following Antonio Conte’s press-conference fiasco after the 3-3 draw against Southampton at the weekend, the Italian tactician is on the verge of being sacked.

Spurs have already begun their search for Conte’s replacement, with several targets shortlisted, including former boss Mauricio Pochettino and Eintracht Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner.

However, a permanent managerial change is likely to be delayed until the end of the season, with former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason set to take the reins on an interim basis.

Redknapp has watched some of his old colleagues get back in the game post-retirement with 75-year-old Roy Hodgson returning for a second stint at Crystal Palace.

Neil Warnock, 74, also came out of retirement earlier this season to help Huddersfield Town avoid relegation to the English third tier.

Redknapp admitted he would be up for the challenge of replacing Conte although he has not received a call from the Spurs bosses.

“If someone asks you, I think it would be hard to say no – I’ll be truthful,” he told talkSPORT. 

“When you love it, you do find it hard to say no, as Roy and Neil would agree.” Asked if Daniel Levy has called him yet, Redknapp replied: “No definitely not, that has not happened.”

Mason is no stranger to the Spurs dugout, having slotted in as interim boss following Jose Mourinho’s departure in April 2021. 

He is set to take up a similar role soon, with Conte expected to be sacked sometime this week.

When asked if he will consider taking up a role as an aid for Mason if the 31-year-old takes over as interim boss, Redknapp said: “Yeah of course – I would love that.

“With a young manager, I often think that they don’t use older figures, but I think there is room for older people to go in with them and work with a young manager, even if it was only for a couple of days a week just to be around.”

Redknapp retired from football management in 2017 following a spell with Birmingham City and took up an advisory role working with Yeovil Town for a year before joining Bournemouth.