No chance for Redknapp at Newcastle

Redknapp - Thanks but no thanks! Some bookmakers (namely Ladbrokes) have installed Harry Redknapp as the favourite to take over the managerial reins at Newcastle United.

It seems that since Redknapp and Tottenham parted company that some money has been wagered on Redknapp becoming the next Toon boss, which is odd considering the fact that we already have a manager in Alan Pardew.

I'm wary of ever saying never when it comes to Newcastle United as, quite frankly, over the years there have been an awful lot of surprising calls at St James' Park, both before Ashley arrived and then since he gained control of power of the club, but I honestly believe that there is absolutely nothing in this whatsoever aside from a bookmaker trying to make a bit of money.

Just look at the facts for a moment. Alan Pardew guided this team back into Europe for the first time in five years last season, we finished in the top five for the first time since Sir Bobby Robson and we have some cracking players on our books, with a real chance of acquiring more quality over the summer.

Now I'm not going to rubbish Redknapp as he did do a good job at White Hart Lane when you look at the state they were in when they took over and where they are now, but I will question the need for change within our management structure. Why try and fix something that isn't really broken in the first place?

At the end of the day, Pardew and the club are the perfect fit for each other at the moment. Newcastle United are giving Alan Pardew a platform to show that he deserves to be given a chance after mush disdain at his appointment. The club is allowing him to rebuild or perhaps establish a reputation as one of the brighter English coaches in the Premier League.

In return Pardew seems happy to work within the framework that has been set out for him. The scouting is taken care of and he has faith in it with Graham Carr at the helm, and he knows that the club won't be held to ransom over players coming in.

Pardew also knows that we are open to sell a player or two providing the money is of a high enough level to prick the interest of Mike Ashley. I'm sure he would probably prefer it if nobody was sold (wouldn't any manager?) and for the club to just rejected any bids for certain, but in the real world that just isn't going to happen if another offer of an Andy Carroll magnitude comes along. He will just get on with it and rely on his scouts to replace at a reasonable cost. In short, Pardew seems happy enough to run with the business model that Ashley running us by at the moment.

Then there is a cost issue. The club get all that for a modest wage in terms of Premier League managers. I dare say Redknapp would demand far more in terms of remuneration and probably wouldn't be overly happy about having to earn more money through performance based enhancements whereas Alan Pardew again seems happy enough to do this.

For all the above reasons and more, Redknapp to Newcastle is never (there is that word again!) going to happen. Remember, he was happy enough to turn it down pre-Keegan II and listened to the "poisoned chalice" talk that apparently surrounds our managerial hot seat. Pardew didn't, and whilst the club did take a chance on him he also took a chance by being willing to work under Mike Ashley.

I can't see that changing any time soon either...